Michelangelo's Last Judgment Flashcards
When, Who, Where, Why,
1534-1541, Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City, Pope commissioned him,
Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel is in the Vatican City, commonly used as Pope’s private chapel. It has become a tourist attraction. Criticism- ‘saved’ and ‘damned’ are not clearly delineated
Composition
Looks chaotic, different levels of figures
He was accused of obscenity.
Nudes inside a church building. Controversy lasted 100 years.
Critics:
Biago de Cesena- Called the painting libelous due to the depiction of Minos (a church official) with a snake wrapped around him
Cardinal Carafa- launched a campaign against Last Judgment. He’s against nudity in a religious building.
Pietro Aretino- originally offered to do PR for Michelangelo, Michelangelo blew him off. Wrote highly about Michelangelo to further his own career. Eventually turns on Michelangelo- ‘The Last Judgment is licentious!’
Pope’s response
Pope that commissioned Michelangelo gave free rein to him.
Next pope was NOT ok with it- the Pope’s right to rule is based on infallibility- nudity in art could be causing the reformation!
Pope ordered the ‘naughty bits’ to be painted over. de Voltera was hired to paint over it- he was a student of Michelangelo.
Different parts were painted over 5 different times, using drapes, clouds, britches, skirts, and veils to mask nudity.
1648- Fig Leaf Campaign is launched. Nudity is not allowed in any Christian art.
Pope in 18th C. considered destroying it totally.
19th C. wanted more drapery added
1993- all drapery removed except da Voltera’s blue section
*Christ always had drapery.
Bruges Madonna
Drapery was added to baby Christ- it has since been removed.
Rodin, “Ugolino”
another Divine Comedy character that was included in Last Judgment.
Criticisms of Last Judgment:
Christ: Has no beard, was standing instead of sitting at a throne.
Charon- mythological- ferries newly deceased across Styx river. Drapery added by da Voltera. Comes from Dante’s Divine Comedy- not appropriate for inclusion in Last Judgment.
Angels didn’t have wings.
Saints gestures look like they’re attending a bullfight.
Figures are hugging and kissing- this is not Biblical!
Drapery was billowing. On the day of judgment, the Earth is supposed to stop. No wind allowed!
Michelangelo included 4 self-portraits.
Saint Bartholomew- has flayed, deflated skin. He was a Christian martyr, flayed alive. He refused to worship pagan gods and was crucified upside down- AFTER being flayed.
Michelangelo gave Bartholomew some of his own features- the creative process is like flaying yourself?
General:
There are 360 figures total- it’s a swirling, torturous mass of people.
Copies
Uncovered copy by Marcello Venusti- closest version to the original
Copy by Niccola della Casa.
St. Catherine and St. Blaise
St. Catherine appears to be looking at the genitals of St. Blaise. St. Blaise was a martyred physician- attacked with iron carding combs. St. Catherine-martyred on spiked wheel. Her pose is based on Doni Tondo (painting)- figure looking back over her shoulder.
Michelangelo wrote homoerotic poetry.
It was censored. He was gay, never married. It was written to de Cavalieri- The Last Judgment was dedicated to him. Was de Cavalieri his partner??
