A History of Art for Beginners and Students: Painting, Sculpture, ArchitectureWaters, Clara Erskine Clement
History
A History of Art for Beginners and Students: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture
Waters, Clara Erskine Clement
Art -- History
He made the statues in the Medici Chapel in the Church of San Lorenzo, in
Florence, the painting of the Last Judgment on a wall of the Sistine
Chapel, and many works as an architect; for he was called upon to attend
to fortifications both in Florence and Rome, and at last, as his
greatest work of this sort, he was the architect of St. Peter's at Rome.
Many different artists had had a share in this work; but as it now is
Michael Angelo may be counted as its real architect. His works are
numerous and only a small part of them is here mentioned; but I have
spoken of those by which he is most remembered. His life, too, was a
stormy one for many reasons that we have not space to tell. While he lived
there were wars and great changes in Italy; he served also under nine
popes, and during his life thirteen men occupied the papal chair. Besides
being great as a painter, an architect, and a sculptor, he was a poet, and
wrote sonnets well worthy of such a genius as his. His whole life was so
serious and sad that it gives one joy to know that in his old age he
formed an intimate friendship with Vittoria Colonna, a wonderful woman,
who made a sweet return to him for all the tender devotion which he
lavished upon her.
Italians associate the name of Michael Angelo with those of the divine
poet Dante and the painter Raphael, and these three are spoken of as the
three greatest men of their country in what are called the modern days.
Michael Angelo died at Rome in 1564, when eighty-nine years old. He
desired to be buried in Florence; but his friends feared to let this be
known lest the Pope should forbid his removal. He was therefore buried in
the Church of the Holy Apostles; but his nephew, Leonardo Buonarroti,
conveyed his remains to Florence secretly, disguised as a bale of
merchandise. At Florence, on a Sunday night, his body was borne to Santa
Croce, in a torchlight procession, and followed by many thousands of
citizens. There his friends once more gazed upon the face which had not
been seen in Florence for thirty years; he looked as if quietly sleeping.
Some days later a splendid memorial service was held in San Lorenzo,
attended by all the court, the artists, scholars, and eminent men of the
city. An oration was pronounced; rare statues and paintings were
collected in the church; all the shops of the city were closed; and the
squares were filled with people.
Above his grave in Santa Croce, where he lies near Dante, Machiavelli,
Galileo, and many other great men, the Duke and Leonardo Buonarroti
erected a monument. It has statues of Painting, Sculpture, and
Architecture, and a bust of the great man who sleeps beneath.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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