Michelangelo
The Artist, the Man and his Times

In this vividly written biography, William E. Wallace offers a substantially new view of Michelangelo.

William E. Wallace (Author)

9781107673694, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 25 July 2011

424 pages, 10 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.3 x 2.8 cm, 0.61 kg

Review of the hardback: 'Immensely readable … with many well-chosen quotations and overlooked facts which portray Michelangelo as a more rounded and less clichéd character than has hitherto been understood.' The Art Newspaper

In this vividly written biography, William E. Wallace offers a new view of the artist. Not only a supremely gifted sculptor, painter, architect and poet, Michelangelo was also an aristocrat who firmly believed in the ancient, noble origins of his family. The belief in his patrician status fueled his lifelong ambition to improve his family's financial situation and to raise the social standing of artists. Michelangelo's ambitions are evident in his writing, dress and comportment, as well as in his ability to befriend, influence and occasionally say 'no' to popes, kings and princes. Written from the words of Michelangelo and his contemporaries, this biography not only tells his own stories, but also brings to life the culture and society of Renaissance Florence and Rome. Not since Irving Stone's novel The Agony and the Ecstasy has there been such a compelling and human portrayal of this remarkable yet credible human individual.

Part I. Introduction: Note to the reader
1. Rome, 1496
2. Aristocrat of artists
3. Rise to prominence
4. Papal summons
5. Rome, 1508–1516
6. Florence, 1515–1525
7. A week in the life
8. Florence, 1525–1534
Part II: 9. Rome, 1534–42
10. Rome, 1542–45
11. Papal architect, Rome, 1546–49
12. New friends, diminishing family
13. St Peter's
14. Late work, long life
15. Final years
16. Return to Florence.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], European history [HBJD], History of art / art & design styles [AC], The arts: general issues [AB]