MICHELANGELO
Mind of the Master at the Getty
When thinking about the masterpieces Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo created, images of beautiful, perfect bodies may come to mind. Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) was born in Caprese, Italy, and was active between Florence and Rome during the fifth and sixth centuries. He produced some of the world’s most important works of art throughout his long life and is remembered as one of the greatest and most influential artists. It would be unusual to encounter someone in the western world who is unfamiliar with his work. He is responsible for some of the most recognizable images in history (I have a photograph of The Creation of Adam on my bedroom wall, as probably do millions of people worldwide.)
One might admire his work in the Sistine Chapel or his famous statue of David and wonder how such perfect creations could come to be. The temporary (now virtual) exhibition Michelangelo: Mind of the Master at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles explores just that. The show features 53 of the artist’s drawings, an essential part of his creative process, from the Teylers Museum collection in the Netherlands. This collection consists of 28 sheets of paper, most of them drawn on both sides with stunning and detailed depictions of the human body and unique architectural sketches like that of The New Saint Peter’s Basilica. If you think his famous paintings and sculptures are breathtaking, wait until you see the practically three-dimensional drawings that came first. As Getty Museum director Timothy Potts states: “Every one of Michelangelo’s iconic creations began with a drawing,” but it is difficult to look at them and believe that they are simply a part of his creative process and not a final product in themselves. Michelangelo began drawing at a very young age. He learned to master line and form and kept up the practice throughout his life. He started using pen and ink but moved on to chalk later. Sketching was always an initial step in creating a painting, sculpture, or architectural structure, and the exhibit features works from different points in his career.
The show, curated by Julian Brooks and Edina Adam, is a truly unique opportunity to become acquainted with these beautiful and scarce drawings (Michelangelo destroyed most of them before his death). This collection is also the first time they are exhibited together in the US. Even if you are not a fan of art, this exhibit is worth studying human anatomy. Experts know that although he drew inspiration from classic sculptures, Michelangelo preferred to draw from life and, at times, he would review the anatomy of dissected corpses.
Due to the show’s early closing during the Coronavirus outbreak (it was set to run from February 25 through June 7, 2020), it is no longer available to be viewed in person. Still, the Getty has done a spectacular job transforming it into a virtual experience on its website. High-resolution images of the drawings accompany detailed explanations and a video on the Getty’s YouTube channel. Although it is not a physical exhibition, viewers get more time to enjoy and examine these spectacular works and look inside this Italian Renaissance master’s mind while sitting on their couch at home.
Explore the exhibition here.
