One of the most famous artists ever known since the 16th century is a man by the name of Michelangelo Buonarroti. He has composed art that is both breathtaking and unmatched in such skills as painting, sculpture, architecture and poetry. Some of his most famous works of sculpture that he composed are standing in the Medici Chapel in Florence, Italy even today. I would like to speak of a particular piece contained in the Chapel entitled Tomb of Giuliano de' Medici. First I would like to say a few words concerning Michelangelo's financial status for materials and his visions for the figure.

According to the book entitled, Michelangelo: The Complete Sculpture, Painting, and Architecture; "Michelangelo was an aristocratic artist working for the pope and had a nearly unlimited budget in the 1520's. Michelangelo also had a legendary ability to judge the quality of a block of marble; it was even said that he could see the figure imprisoned in it."(Pg.213) I think that this quote from author, William E. Wallace, shows a very interesting background in Michelangelo's finances and genius. He had made numerous life-size statues with handpicked blocks of marble. Wallace also states th

The "Tomb of Giuliano de' Medici" has three figures set up forming a somewhat triangular design, just as Massacio's, The Holy Trinity. And the I believe that this is a significant aspect to look at because both works were in Florence, Italy. I would be very surprised if Michelangelo had not seen Massacio's painting prior to beginning his work on the Tomb of Giuliano de' Medici. The Holy Trinity was done in a side aisle in the Sta. Maria Novella Gothic Church. It, too, contained a triangular design with Christ crucified on the cross toward the top of the composition, then below on either side, John the Evangelist and the Virgin Mary, and below them, the donor portraits. Although Massacio's work was done in a Gothic Church, he chose to use a more Roman influence as far as the arch and the columns. Michelangelo also included Roman architecture. These works cannot tell me if Michelangelo meant to have these elements in common with Massacio, but I think that this shows that even a master artist such as Michelangelo may design work from ideas and principals of other artists.

After looking at many pictures of the Tomb of Giuliano de' Medici, I realized that this piece is extraordinary in several ways. It combines architecture and sculpture with an Ancient Roman influence. It also has a very ordered composition that is both a powerful message of resurrection, and representation of the figure in an intensely realistic and beautiful way. Michelangelo is definitely a master that may never be matched in capturing the human form. Throughout all of the pieces that he has done, I think that the Tomb of Giuliano de' Medici is definitely a piece that should be considered a huge accomplishment in his career.

at some experts believe Michelangelo's financial backing helped contribute to the beauty of his work. I was not sure how to take that comment at first, but after looking at many of Michelangelo's sculptures, I think the fact that he was particular about the quality of block which was used shows that he was a master that wanted to depict figures that were unequivocally beautiful, muscular, an

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Approximate Word count = 1423
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)