Michelangelo - The Drawings of a Genius

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Michelangelo's drawings showcase an unmatched expressive musculature, particularly in his male nudes, which convey both tension and pliancy, alongside a sense of vitality. His depictions of women and cherubs exhibit grace and swiftness. Featuring over 300 color plates and extensive scholarship, this publication offers the most comprehensive examination of his work to date. It includes masterpieces from renowned museums, covering early studies for the "Battle of Cascina," the Sistine Chapel frescoes, and the tomb of Julius II, as well as the Medici tombs and later crucifixion scenes. The collection also addresses works with debated authenticity and highlights the influence of Michelangelo's sketches on other artists. As a painter, sculptor, poet, architect, and engineer, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475-1564) was remarkably prolific and innovative. He created his masterpieces, the "Pieta" and "David," before age 30 and is known for the iconic ceiling and wall paintings of the Sistine Chapel, including the creation scenes from "Genesis" and "The Last Judgment." Giorgio Vasari asserted that Michelangelo epitomized the peak of artistic achievement since the Renaissance, a sentiment that endures today.