Miguel Ángel - History Lab

Adam’s creation

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:32:03 +0000

Michelangelo’s fresco on the vault of the Sistine Chapel (Vatican Museums, Rome). Symbol of universal art and quintessential Italian Renaissance. Commissioned by Pope Julius II for the seat of the conclaves.

The post Adam’s creation first appeared on History Lab.

Final Judgement

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:32:03 +0000

Michelangelo’s fresco on the altar of the Sistine Chapel (Vatican Museums, Rome). Executed between 1537-1541

The post Final Judgement first appeared on History Lab.

Birth of Venus

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:31:28 +0000

During the 15th century, European civilisation underwent an important process of enrichment and expansion, in addition to profound political, economic and social transformations. In short, there was a change of mentality that culminated in the emergence of a new artistic and literary movement, the Renaissance. This cultural epoch is rooted in anthropocentrism (Man as the centre of the Universe) and in the revaluation of the individual personality, while at the same time it is strongly marked by its attempt to break with the Middle Ages in order to recover the forms of classical Antiquity. It originated in Florence, where it was born in the early 1400s, and lasted for two centuries in three distinct stages. The first, the 15th century, is known as the Quattrocento or early Renaissance; the second, as the Cinquecento or full Renaissance, reduced to the first 20 years of the 16th century and considered the period of plenitude; the third and last is called Mannerism, which covers the rest of the 16th century and in which certain anti-classical connotations predominate. The architecture, which mainly uses stone and marble, is dominated by a high degree of proportion and symmetry; in this field, churches with a centralised plan and a variety of civil buildings stand out: villas, palaces, hospitals and libraries. The architects Filippo Brunelleschi, Leon Battista Alberti, Bramante, Andrea Palladio and Michelangelo stand out. Man is the fundamental subject of sculpture, whether religious or profane, and he was the protagonist of a large number of portraits of a royal, heroic, equestrian or funerary nature. The materials used are diverse, the most common being stone, marble, bronze, wood and terracotta. The most notable figure is Michelangelo, who was joined by Lorenzo Ghiberti, Donatello, Andrea Verrocchio and Luca della Robbia. Finally, the main centres of painting were Florence, Rome and Venice. During the Quattrocento, artists focused their attention on perspective and composition, with Fra Angelico, Massaccio, Piero della Francesca, Ghirlandaio and Botticelli, the latter two being painters of a refined and detailed style. Finally, Cinquecento painting was dominated by simple, monumental forms in which a high degree of technical perfection was achieved, with important examples in the works of Leonardo, Raphael and Michelangelo.

The post Birth of Venus first appeared on History Lab.

Miniature self-portrait

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:31:28 +0000

Sofonisba Anguissola (c. 1535-1625) was born in Cremona into a high-born family. She was educated according to the values associated with virtuous women in the 16th century and her training was based on a solid knowledge of literature, music, dance, drawing and painting. She excelled in the latter field and was admired by Michelangelo, the leading figure in Italian art. After visiting the family, Giorgio Vasari also confirmed the young woman’s mastery of drawing and painting. In 1559, at the age of fourteen, she arrived in Spain through the Duke of Alba and the Duke of Sessa, governor of Milan. At the court of Philip II she worked as a court lady to Queen Isabella of Valois until her death in 1568, after which she entered the service of the king’s daughters (Isabella Clara Eugenia and Catherine Micaela) and Queen Anne of Austria, the king’s fourth and last wife. He remained with them until 1573, when he left for good to return to his place of origin. This small parchment (now a pendant) depicts one of the artist’s most cultivated facets, the self-portrait. In her hands she holds a medallion with an inscription in Latin that reads: “The maiden Sofonisba Anguissola, represented by her own hand, from a mirror, in Cremona”.

The post Miniature self-portrait first appeared on History Lab.

Sistine Chapel Virtual Tour (Rome, Italy)

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:27:48 +0000

This multimedia resource provides access to the interior of the Sistine Chapel. Formerly known as Cappella Magna, it was named after Pope Sixtus IV, who ordered its restoration between 1477 and 1480. Its interior is decorated with frescoes by a number of Renaissance painters (Perugino, Ghirlandaio, Botticelli, Roselli,…). The decoration of the vault and the mural on the altar by Michelangelo stand out. By means of different directional arrows, you can see the works on both the walls and the ceiling. In addition, the image can be enlarged for a detailed view of the desired element.

The post Sistine Chapel Virtual Tour (Rome, Italy) first appeared on History Lab.

Virtual visit to the Capilla Paulina (Rome, Italy)

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:27:48 +0000

This chapel in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican is named after Pope Paul III, who commissioned Antonio da Sangallo to build it in 1540. Separated from the Sistine Chapel by the Sala Regia, it serves as the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament inside the Vatican. Through this resource you can visit the interior of this chapel and see frescoes and sculptures by Michelangelo, Lorenzo Sabbatini, Federico Zuccaro and Bresciano.

The post Virtual visit to the Capilla Paulina (Rome, Italy) first appeared on History Lab.

Virtual tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square (Rome, Italy)

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:27:48 +0000

This resource provided by the Vatican’s official website allows you to take a virtual tour of the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica as well as St. Peter’s Square. In 1506 the basilica replaced an earlier one commissioned by Pope Julius II. After the initial participation of Bramante, Raphael and Antonio da Sangallo, in 1546 Michelangelo was appointed as architect, who gave the project its final form with its imposing dome. Inside, the spectacular Baldachin and Cathedra of St. Peter by Bernini stand out, and on the outside, the main façade by Maderno and the colonnade of St. Peter’s Square by Bernini. Different links within the web portal allow access to the interior from the apse, the altar, the north and south arms of the transept, the central nave, the choir chapel, the Pietà and the exterior of St. Peter’s Square.

The post Virtual tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square (Rome, Italy) first appeared on History Lab.