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In the late fifteenth century, the palace of Lorenzo the Magnificent, ruler of Florence, was a meeting place of intellectuals, writers, philosophers, and artists. Among them was the talented young Michelangelo, soon to rank with Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael as one of the giants of the Renaissance. This book tells of Michelangelo's training in the workshop of Ghirlandaio, his fascination with the frescoes of Giotto and Masaccio, and the development of his lifelong passion for sculpture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Information Book for Kids!
I found this book very useful in gathering information to present to children about the life of Michelangelo.It is very clear how the information is organized in relation to the general facts of history and the general topics of artwork and masterpieces of that day.Along with this general information, the book includes references in each section that specifically link this information to the life and work of Michelangelo.

michelangelo - master of the renaissance
As a sixth grade teacher, I found this book to be a fascinating resource for students.The book is sectioned by Michelangelo's works, such as by sculptures, paintings, and architectural works.The photos are beautifully displayed and each work has a description for the reader.In addition, a chronological biography is outlined page after page as it relates to his works.Information such as his lifestyle, personal events, and affiliations and accomplishments are described.What's great about the book is the fact that it includes information about the renaissaince, such as other artists and important figures of the times.This gives the reader a feel for the period and gives an opportunity to make connections to its significance in time.A great book for both young readers and adults. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (19)

Awe-inspiring photograhs
There are adventure stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats; romance novels that make fans daydream about that perfect moment with that special someone; and, mystery/thrillers that make readers leave the lights on at night. But only once in a great while does a book come long that is absolutely beautiful; a celebration of a life that was filled with so much creativity and passion for a particular field, that the story is a learning experience that's truly inspiring, and the pictures of works of art fill the reader with awe. This is one of those books...a book that deserves a well-thought-out essay far more than a four hundred word review.

Before he reached the age of thirty, Michelangelo had produced David, a sculpture that has become the very definition of the word genius. Like his fellow Florentine, DaVinci, Michelangelo was a literal star of the Renaissance in all areas of the art world, including painting, sculpting, draughtsman, and architect. He was a man born into a political family; his father was a magistrate for a term of one year and was ensconced in a social class very far up in the hierarchy of Europe. Using his family's social connections, Michelangelo became very popular, very fast.

From 1475-1491, he was quite an emancipated artist; he chose to do things his way in a world that was run by the powerful Medici family. His father was a Guelph, and sought to defend the city of Florence from the threat of foreign rule, even though his son began his career under the protection of Lorenzo de' Medici. As a young man, Michelangelo was a master of marble and produced The Battle of Hercules with the Centaurs that made his viewing public stand up and take notice. From there, he moved on to one of the most famous marble works of all time, the Pieta'. Here, was the first true masterpiece of his career; the figure of the Virgin Mother cradling her dearly departed son in her arms. Michelangelo even signed this particular sculpture, even though he rarely signed anything in his lifetime. Along the Virgin's breast is a band with his name chiseled in antique-style lettering; made during a moment in time when he believed he was an intermediary between the earthly and heavenly realms.

From 1501-1504, he spent his time in Florence, and David was born. The commission was acquired because others had tried and failed to carve that particular piece of marble into anything that was remotely usable. But Michelangelo lived his life "seeing" the figures encased in the marble just dying to get out and be set free, and he went to work to produce the beloved boy King who killed the mighty giant.

Michelangelo joined up with Julius II in order to create the ruler's tomb. They both owned unbending wills and the fights between the two men were legendary. From 1508-1512, while working and failing with Julius' ideas, he was commissioned to paint the Sistine Chapel. Cracks had formed from the structural problems of the building, and his frescoes from the lives of Moses and Jesus were so amazing that today, after all this time, it is still the most photographed "piece" of art in the world.

The section of this gorgeous book dealing with the Sistine Chapel is absolutely breath-taking. In fact, without seeing the Chapel, no human being will ever quite understand what one person is capable of creating. The Creation of Adam has been used in movies, books - exhibits across the globe - and it is truly enchanting to see on paper. The roots of humanity were given a world of their own inside that Chapel, and Michelangelo made a "point" with every scene he created.

Later in life, Michelangelo became the "architect." There are some absolutely amazing designs of the Laurentian Library and the New Sacristy/Medici Chapel that he created. The coving details, the strange staircases...everything that seemed to emerge from this man's brain were works of art.

Then came The Last Judgment. Inside the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo returned, and created the large panel with the Redeemer at its' center, orchestrating and presiding over the fallen and the ascension of the forgiven. Charon's boat is on one side, as he ushers the sinful across the River Styx to a place of eternal punishment; and, Minos, the guardian of Hell stands...smiling...waiting for the ones his master can call his own. This is the one work of art that a human will never forget.

This celebration of life and work also offers some extremely fun facts about Michelangelo's past. One is when DaVinci and he were both commissioned to paint an episode from Florentine history. As they both moved in a different direction, they painted scenes of battle, as the two artistic "giants" competed for the palm. Fun fact number two was that there was a time when Michelangelo spent six months sitting in a quarry, choosing exactly the "right" pieces of marble with figures waiting to emerge from the great, stone slabs.

As his life came to a close, Michelangelo was found to have been a miser in most respects. He had a thirst for money and commissions, yet very rarely ate meals and refused to accept gifts from people because he was afraid of being permanently obligated to the giver. When he was finally laid to rest in Florence, he was given a saint's send-off. No one had surpassed him in the art world (and, frankly, no one has since). From the creation of marble sculptures to being chief architect on the project of St. Peter's, Michelangelo was, and still remains, the most amazing "creator of beauty" that the world will ever know.

Quill Says: There is so much - page after page - of awe-inspiring photographs and detailed information on this genius' life that all readers will want to bury themselves in this fantastic tome to immerse themselves in the amazing creations that Michelangelo gave to the world. This is not a book...this is a gift.

Michelangelo (Xl Series)
I received my book today and the only think I can says is it is fabulous!!!! You'll never going to see at his work as closely as in this book. I hope soon to have another book like this from Botticelli and Caravaggio.

An amazingly beautiful book
The book is a gift to my husband and this is his review: The research, the writing, the photos and the printing wonderfully exhibit Michelangelo's artistic and creative abilities, and prove that the Sistine Chapel is perhaps the most stunning art gallery. The book is well laid out with many double fold-out pages, and extreme close-ups. As a painter it gave me an in depth look at how he layered his color along with the use of outline. Michelangelo's work is staggering. And the story of this part of his life with all the intrusions and problems is captivating.

Michelangelo (XL Series)
This is a masterpiece!A beautifully illustrated and written book that will inspire everyone, even those not interested in reading or in Michelangelo.The cover is mesmerizing and will draw you to open the book.It makes a statement in your bookshelf or on your coffee table - a wonderful book for the creative person in your life.

Michelangelo
I thought the Michelangelo XL series book to be the next best thing from the actual Vatican.Its full of his famous works and true in colors just as I recall it to be. I'm very happy with my purchase from Amazon I've told all of my friends about this amazing book. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Numerous drawings with good clarity
What can I say about this GIANT demonstrating with such tour de force, the lost art of classical drawing. Chapman gives us an extraordinarily comprehensive view of his work and helps prove thatMichelangelowill always be our best teacher in drawing the figure - his system, despite it complexity, provides the most clarity. I don't necessarily agree with the other reviewers comment thatreproductions here are mediocre. True many are sadly too small - in order to fit in lots of written documentation but also copyright/legality issues often prohibits better pics. (And I imagine Euro publications maintain better focus on quality then here.) There are actually a few larger studies ie. single poses devoted to whole pages. Its a impressive collection and of descent clarity (for book standards) so I think its a must have for artists interested in traditional figure work. No single/ideal book exists on such a prolific draftsman and I think their isolation was a wise choice by the author in that it separates two different stages of leaning: the abc's of drawing from matters of secondary importance (tone and color). Interestingly enough M preferred simple black chalk on light paper vs. the popular addition of white on toned paper - used by so many as a crutch (and is therefore a tip from him per understanding basics of drawing). So this format allows for an in depth analysis of history and introduction to techniques pertaining to chalk and paper (which you'll probably gain more from reading than from the best attempted 'how to' of today since most author/artists are more concerned with their own work than they are in learning about the artform itself).

Its not absent however of rather misguided statements regarding process which writers typically stab at with plastic swords of speculation.Ie. statements Chapman makes such as, "...here, M's main focus was the study of light...". This is false in a misleading way - since classical artists were primarily focused on analyzing and manipulating form. That they used lighting as a tool to help `sculpt' form is obvious but all the while the main intent was in understanding and extracting shapes (from interior outward). The surface/shadow/lighting infatuation so common with amateurs today is a modern method which in fact contradicts what traditional artist were trying to do. Look at M's (Exh.No.76 Recto) - shadows are practically non existent - much of it is mid-tones only. Or look at the left side rib contour (of Exh.No.30) following shapes - which is practically void of tone. This visual concept can hardly be explained using words. (They'rs a Mengs hanging today at our National Gallery (DC) in the 2010 German show which is a fine example of this subtle restraint. And our Met. has Mich's Sybl (Fig.51)but alas she's allowed to breath in public rarely).

Most all bk repros are too dark/overly contrasted with subtle half tones being knocked out - which invites faulty, exaggeratedremarks particularly about their shading/lighting issues - the quickest, most superficial one to address for those untrained. If you are lucky enough to see the few originals museums pull out of hiding now and then, I guarantee you'll be continuously astounded by how light in tone, how soft of touch they are and how lacking of harsh contrast (so rampant in modern work unaccustomed to a traditional approach that works so hard to maintain transparency/depth).What this book displays is the often misunderstood dimensional concept of simply drawing through forms, which empowered M to see through them - manipulate their relationships etc.(vs. the flat-2D,shadow approach so popular today with many so called 'realists' handicapped by their photo-sightedness). We see hints of this under-drawingframework in(Exh.No.19 Recto) or (Exh.No.85 Recto.) which enliven even his restfull figures.

We artists ooh and ah over the anatomy which is the easier discipline to learn, compared to what is perhaps the more important lesson M offers - that being his dynamic understanding of inner structure. Think of the geometric box for the pelvis as referenced by the R.B.Hale books (in a sadly diluted manner) and you'll be on the right track. The untrained eye however will not see the structure imbedded in many of M's finished drawings (those basics are put on auto-pilot as M's imagination hurls him into the more important realm of ideal design) but it should not stop one from trying - even if you have to pull out a magnifying lens to see some of the faint lines disguised hear and there (rarely reproducible). That many of them are hidden by `stylus', as Chapman notes, helps explain their elusive nature.

M was exceptional of course yet trained in a time when sculpture was a standard part of training for artists who, more enlightened than we, saw the world as round and three dimensional as apposed to the flat consensus perpetuated by schools today. A misnomer is that simply by playing with clay you will learn form butit all comes down to HOW you see and interpret form - hence the virtually lost and highly misunderstood issues pertaining to it. To this I'd add the fluid rhythm apparent in Italian disegno as well as the ability to concept designs from the imagination (a skill hardly extanttoday with the odd exception of those still doing hand drawn animation). Much he learned from copying Greek sculpture (as indicated by Fig.17) while fusing that knowledge with his own intense study of nature. The documentation here is fascinating and exhaustive and admittedly I've only skimmed some sections of historic info so I may revise my review in the future.

Michelangelo Drawings
This is a really fine book. It's great to have all of these drawings together in one book. The drawings have a life of their own. As a bonus I was surprised to find here some of the best shots of the Sistine Chapel post-restoration. Amazing!

The exhibition Hugo, the exhibition...
It seems that Mr. Chapman set out to survey the life of Michelangelo, which is frustrating, as this book is the sole document to 'catalog' what is the largest exhibition of Michelangelo's drawing in modern times.

Also unnerving is that while being a $50 paperback, the British Museum did not license decent prints to accompany a book about M's life, so the reader must suffer black and white, grainy photographs of 'Battle of the Centaurs' and other pivotal works, reproduced with the quality of a cheap high school art survey text.

The pictures from the Exhibition itself are severely scaled and butchered, many only given half to a fourth of a page. The delightful 'Study of Infants' is included at barely 3" across, the result of which are sub 1" inch figures. Let me reiterate that this figure study was in the exhibition that Mr. Chapman's book is supposed to catalog and accompany!

Works such as St. Matthew, the Bruges Madonna, the Dying Slave, etc.. are just crammed in postage stamp, sub 1.5" thumbnails and confined to the edges, as if warring with the text itself. If this metaphor was to be taken literally, I would say Mr. Chapman's text was actually the victor. For a book about M's drawings to have the Gardner Pieta scaled to a size of 1.5" or the Studies for the Libyan Sibyl at 2", both black and white; is pretty inexcusable.

Mr. Chapman however, does a decent job of digesting most contemporary knowledge about the man and regurgitating it in a somewhat interesting and easily re-digestible text. It is unfortunate that this book is one of the only places you can see these drawings, and this alone is a reason to own it. However, in the end, this was a book about the drawings, and those who bought this book surely wanted to gaze, not squint, upon the work of the most masterful artist that has ever lived. ... Read more

Product Description
Michelangelo was a master draftsman whose striking and powerful drawings are not only an important part of his artistic heritage in their own right but are also a means of viewing his designs that have not otherwise survived. In this book Michael Hirst describes and analyzes Michelangelo`s drawings in light of the many purposes for which the artist made them, thereby reaching for the first time a full understanding of their character and appearance. The product of thirty years of careful thought and examination of the original drawings, it provides the reader with new insights into the working methods and the mental processes of one of the most original of all artists.. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Truly a revelation !
Michelangelo's sculptures, paintings and architectures are world renown. However most of us who are not arts experts are hardly aware of the drawings this genius did aeons ago. Hirst has rectified this. This book contains most of Michelangelo's drawings, even those not displayed to the public. I am just a layman and hence am ignorant of all the technical terms involve in studying a piece of drawing. However this does not stop me from enjoying Michelangelo's myriad masterpiece drawings. I am very glad indeed to be educated on another angle of this great genius.

... Read more

Product Description
This volume includes all of Michelangelo's paintings, as well as a selection of his work in sculpture and architecture. Numerous full-color details capture the works' staggering depth of meaning and magnificent beauty. Frederick Hartt, the great scholar of Italian Renaissance art, provides a fascinating account of Michelangelo's titanic genius. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent text and detailed descriptions for each image
Hartt is an interesting writer and points out details that other writers don't.The quality of the color printing and of the paper itself is high.Since I bought this at Amazon marketplace, I consider it a great value.

However, this is the 'concise' edition (in 1984) of the 1964 book.And the reason the colors are not as bright as another reviewer remembers them is that the book's pictures were taken before the somewhat controversial cleaning and restoration of the paintings in the Sistine Chapel.They were brownish after centuries of accumulations (smoke and 'protective' applications of varnish), and the project to clean them and restore the colors took place from '81 to '94.

To see what the paintings look like nowadays, color-wise, see _MichelangeloThe Frescoes of the Sistine Chapel_ with text by Marcia Hall (Temple University) and photographs by Takashi Okamura, who was the first photographer given the opportunity to photograph the Chapel after the restoration project was completed. [...]

Nice book, colors could be a tad brighter
I purchased this book recently after having come back from Italy and having seen some of these works of art in person. The books is very nicely put together, a great coffee table piece. The large, thick pages really make the book feel sturdy. The only thing that I found a minor issue with is that the color plates of the paintings should be brighter. An example, the painting of the Doni Madonna was much more bright and colorful than is depicted in the book. In real life even the old paintings in the Sistine Chapel pop out at you (see the Delphic Sybil for another example).
... Read more

Product Description
Michelangelo is generally recognized as one of the greatest artists of all time, a universal genius in all fields of visual creativity—sculpture, painting, and architecture—as well as a widely admired poet. Much has been written on him. This pocket-sized history of Michelangelo’s art and life guides readers from Tondo Doni (about 1505) to the Rondanini Pietà (1564) and teaches them to easily understand his famous works as well as the lesser-known masterpieces. ... Read more

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An incisive study of the shaping influences on Michelangelo's creative and personal life: his father, Lodovico Buonarroti; his first patron, Lorenzo di Medici; and his greatest patron, Pope Julius II. Michelangelo Buonarroti was an unparalleled artist-painter, sculptor, architect, poet-who was regarded even in his own lifetime as divine. Here James Beck reveals how Michelangelo's interactions with three men determined his path from early childhood to the completion of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. His father, Lodovico, a stern man, instilled a powerful work ethic in Michelangelo, yet his criticism of his son's artistic calling left his son deprived of approval and love. Lorenzo di Medici, the forceful ruler of Florence, took the teenaged Michelangelo under his wing, raising him almost like one of his own sons in the artists' colony he established on his palace grounds. Already one of the most respected sculptors in the world and still in young manhood, Michelangelo was then sought out by Pope Julius II. Although Julius originally commissioned him to create his tomb, the artist's greatest project under his patronage was the Sistine Chapel ceiling in the Vatican. Rich in unusual details such as an unprecedented account of the sculpting of David, Michelangelo's most famous work, and the creation of the Sistine ceiling, Three Worlds of Michelangelo presents Michelangelo in fresh and vivid terms.Amazon.com Review
Few artists in the history of the world have attained themythic status of Michelangelo--painter of the heavenly Sistine Chapeland sculptor of the nearly divine David. And it is his toweringpresence that makes it so difficult to imagine the artist as aman. Art historian James Beck helps unlock the mystery of Michelangeloby opening the doors of the three very different worlds to which hebelonged. Michelangelo's father, his famous and influential patronLorenzo de Medici, and Pope Julius II who, according to Beck, forcedthe Sistine Chapel commission onto its now-famous painter, divided therule of these worlds between them and held powerful sway over theartist. Michelangelo left behind a fair amount of correspondence, uponwhich Beck heavily relies. But beyond that, there is a dearth ofreliable information about the subject. Michelangelo himself carefullyoversaw the contemporary biographies--selling 16th-century writers onthe notion that he was divinely preordained to become a renownedartist. Beck is clearly a careful researcher and he skillfullycombines the facts at hand and collateral information about the era torecreate the artist's world. He freely draws on this information toform opinions about his subject's sexuality, passion for his art, andrelationships to the powerful men in his life. He evokes, too, astrong visual sense of Michelangelo's environment--the Medici palacewhere he lived for a time, the Vatican of the Renaissance, theartist's own work. This is definitely a compelling story, but bear inmind that because of the distinct lack of reliable source material,this biography falls somewhere between fact and well-informedhistorical fiction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The Divine Mr. M
To start off, I can't believe this book is out of print already! I'd still like to write a review, because this is a very good book and perhaps the publisher will do a new hardcover print run or come up with a paperbackedition..... Mr. Beck is a professor of art history at Columbia Universityin New York City. One of the nice things about this book, though, is thatit is written for the layperson. It is not full of technical terms and artworld jargon. Even better, it is well written. Professor Beck has a verygood style of writing so the book flows along very smoothly. I think theauthor's intention was to balance out the popular picture of Michelangeloas a tortured, ill-mannered genius. Professor Beck shows him to be, in somerespects, a pretty regular fellow. For example, we find out that PopeJulius appreciated him for his ironic, sarcastic and apparently typicallyTuscan sense of humor. Michelangelo also was always very much a personconcerned with the well-being of his family. Although he never married andnever had any children he was deeply attached to his father and hisbrothers. Once he started to earn some money he was always very good abouthelping his family financially. One of the strong suits of this book isthat Professor Beck constantly shows us the humanity behind the artist.Although Michelangelo loved his father it is also true that his fathernever approved of his choice of career. An artist was not highly regardedback in those days and when Michelangelo decided to become a sculptor,well, that was even worse. Imagine going around with your clothes full ofmarble dust all the time! Michelangelo was always looking for approval fromhis father and he never got it. The book also covers Michelangelo'srelationship with Lorenzo The Magnificent and Pope Julius II. We get anespecially nicely rounded portrait of Julius as a warrior pope who was moreinterested in power and politics and women than in culture, but whonevertheless appreciated the talent of Michelangelo. He also had a fiercetemper and when Michelangelo answered the question, "When will theceiling of the Sistine Chapel be finished?" with "It'll be donewhen it is done..." threatened to have some lackeys go up and haveMichelangelo thrown off of the scaffolding! My only complaint with thisbook is that perhaps Professor Beck goes a little too far trying to portrayMichelangelo as a "nice" guy and basically somebody that reallyhad no faults whatsoever. But as I wrote near the start of this review Ithink the intent was to try to swing the pendulum the other way..... Still,this book is very good and well worth reading.

very informative look at artists life
James Beck has written a wonderful and easy read about the life of Michelangelo.By not focusing on details about Michelangelo's sex life, Beck has put a much needed focus back on the actual art work of the artist. Regardless of whether he was gay or straight, Michelangelo is a gifted andtalented artist who will be remembered for eternity.

Spoiled by homophobia
This biography might have been wonderful to me if it had not been spoiled by the author's foolish attempts to cast doubt on Michelangelo's homosexuality.This puts Beck into the same category with Irving Stone andCharlton Heston in The Agony and the Ecstasy.On the verge of the 21stCentury to get yet another book denying that there were any great gay menin history is simply not acceptable. ... Read more

Product Description

Truly in a class of its own, Young Michelangelo is the most definitive and eye-opening study of the artist’s early life to come along in a generation.

In this compelling account, renowned art historian John Spike paints a vivid portrait of one of the world’s greatest artists and the places and people—Lorenzo de’ Medici, Leonardo, Machiavelli—that inspired and defined his early life and career. Spike’s masterful text probes the thinking, evolution, and desires of a young man whose awareness of his exceptional talent never wavered. Michelangelo’s complex personality is revealed through lively examinations of the Pietà, the David, and all other major works. Drawing on a rich background of Italian Renaissance politics and culture, Spike deftly navigates the fiery Florentine master’s struggle to surpass da Vinci’s artistic mastery, and his troubled relationships with Julius II and other key figures of the era.

Praise for Young Michelangelo:

“Making the most of Michelangelo’s ample correspondence and the recently published records of his extensive banking transactions, Spike has drawn an astonishingly vivid portrait of the artist’s first 33 years. It's the best life of Michelangelo I've read, and it leaves one wishing the author would complete Michelangelo’s life with his wonderful grasp of the artist’s tenacious personality and Herculean achievement.” ~ Everett Fahy, John Pope-Hennessy Chairman of the Department of European Paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

“Tense and agile as an early sculpture, Young Michelangelo is a compelling portrait of the artist as a young man in a dangerous time.” ~ Peter Robb, Author of M: The Man Who Became Caravaggio

 "Spike crystallizes historical detail into vivid, memorable imagery. . . . Alternating between accounts of the turbulent political atmosphere and details of Michelangelo’s most private moments in the sculpture studio, Spike creates a rich narrative that promises more intrigue than the best adventure novel."—Publishers Weekly

"Spike's original and valuable approach to studying [Michelangelo's] childhood, development, and reputation as one of the greats of the Renaissance provides a deeper understanding of such a wondrous, almost mythic figure. An essential book for Renaissance collections and devotees." —Library Journal 

“This erudite but immensely readable account is essential for anyone who desires to know more about Michelangelo’s formation.” ~ David Alan Brown, National Gallery of Art

“Spike is a masterful weaver of disparate information into a synthetic narrative. He provides a rich web of the political, social, and personal contexts against which Michelangelo's early career unfolded.” ~ John Hunisak, Professor of Art & Architecture, Middlebury College

Customer Reviews (3)

Spiking Mikey
Did Michelangelo ever shudder with the feeling that future art historians were searching through his bank statements? The amount of scholarship and speculation regarding his life story was made possible in part by his own attention to hand written communications, and of course by the work itself, both paper and marble being cherished and preserved more than five centuries now. Author John T Spike lives and breathes Italian Renaissance art and his grasp of local history lends a familiarity to the gossipy name-dropping art historians enjoy and which can sometimes baffle innocent readers.Young Michelangelo is a verbal more than a visual book, smaller and without the plush full color illustrations characteristic of his earlier publications. It isn't especially plodding, seems to be fairly thin regarding Michelangelo's adolescent encounters with persons of the opposite sex, a bit short regarding the influence of Lorenzo di Medici, informative about Michelangelo's business sense and the practicalities of cutting blocks of stone. Then, just as the reader is starting to get caught up in the boring details, the prose ends abruptly and the last third of the book is notes on the first two thirds.

Spike doesn't speculate nor does he divulge everything he has learned, and his Harvardian observations are sometimes winsomely acerbic. Never fear, future art historians, there are tomes still to be written about Michelangelo.The more the marble wastes, the more the statue grows.

"Young Michelangelo"
In "Young Michelangelo,"Dr. John Spike provides the most realistic and convincing portrait of the formation of the artist that's yet been written.It's a must read for every aspiring artist and anyone seeking knowledge of the origins of Western culture and consciousness. Dr. Spike has committed his life to understanding Michelangelo and his art.He writes authoritatively and precisely.This is the first of several projected volumes, herald as the biography of this generation.

Big Boy Back on Top! --

Recent news from Italy is that Caravaggio has surpassed Michelangelo as most
talked about or popularized master on the Roma-Firenze Inter-City express.
With the latest out of J.T. Spike's fertile imagination, he steps up to the
plate on Michelangelo - -after disclosing many unknown facts in his landmark
exploration of Caravaggio.Now he has "all bases covered" -- double-take!
YOUNG MICHELANGELO - Spike's richly informative text uncovers still new
insights about a very old subject. Freshly imagined, newly conceptualized,
one might feel a new level of intimacy with this material reflecting
the author's seasoned eye.To some degree, Spike is a far more reliable
Vasari for our time, and holds a special place for his discrete empathy and
intuitive understanding of the pulse of artworks made 500 years ago. A sensible
reading on Michelangelo's early years will enable college students and general
readers of the"C.S.I.", "Boston Legal", or "Girl with the Dragon Tatoo" generation to
put the pieces of this puzzle together towards a fuller picture of "The David" + "Sistine."
When the practice of Art History is this good - we should award it 'Three Forks'
in the Michelin Guide - and twirl our fettucine with extra gusto --"Buon appetito!" ... Read more

Product Description
Michelangelo was, apart from being a sculptor, architect, and painter of genius, a poet and letter-writer of remarkable accomplishment. George Bull, a distinguished translator of many Italian classics, has brought his skill and experience to bear on translating this new selection of Michelangelo's letters and poetry, as well as the Life, the biography written by Michelangelo's pupil Ascanio Condivi. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (5)

Michelangelo's Rome
This book is informative and very fun to read. I chose it to help prepare me for an upcoming trip to Rome, and, WOW, was it great for that! It gave me an anchor -- Michelangelo's life, art, and times -- to get a great sense of how to approach visiting Rome. It increased my enthusiasm about the trip and really helped me understand and appreciate what I saw.

The author also provides some delightful insights about life in Rome today, such as mentioning the San Giovanni dei Fiorentini church in the heart of historic Rome that welcomes well-behaved cats and dogs to attend services! I not only took the book with me on the trip, but have reread numerous passages since returning.

Delightful journey!
As I journeyed through the pages of Michelangelo's life, I couldn't put this wonderful book down.The photography is beautiful, and the sidebars give little glimpses of life during the Renaissance and also in present-day Italy.I'm ready to sign on for a tour to Rome with Angela!

Excellent resource!
"A Journey into Michelangelo's Rome" combines intriguing, enlightening details about Michelangelo's life with historical facts about Rome.It also brings Italian culture and history alive and transported me back to our amazing first visit to Rome and Florence.We were fortunate to travel with the author, Angela K. Nickerson, on that first trip to Italy and I can truly say it was the best travel decision we ever made.Angela's book is accurate, exciting and a great read whether you want to learn more about Michelangelo or Rome, the city where he spent most his life.It's also the perfect book to have before and during a trip to Italy, enhancing every experience.You can read hundreds of travel books on Italy but nothing compares to traveling with this author, seeing Italy through her eyes and benefiting from her years of travel and research.

Fantastic Travel and Art Companion
I recently traveled to Rome and Florence with Angela Nickerson, the author of "A Journey into Michelangelo's Rome". The experience was both tremendously enjoyable as well as deeply educational. Ms. Nickerson has filled her book with passion for art, history and the great beauty of Rome through the lens of Michaelangelo's life and artistic triumphs. While visiting Rome is one of the greatest trips you can take, it can be truly enhanced by taking this book along as companion reading. The photos, sidebars, diagrams and insets all serve to make this book a treasure-trove of fun facts and delights to devour while in one of the world's most beautiful cities. Happy travels and happy reading!

Brava!
In January 2008 a few friends and I had the good fortune to meet Angela (the author) and some members of her delightful family in Italy at Ostia Antica where we learned of the publication of this fine book.I've been to Rome twice in the past year and Angela's book is acccurate, informative--and best of all--interesting.The author's text, photos, and maps combine to make "A Journey into Michelangelo's Rome" a pleasure to read, to carry as a resource while visiting Rome--and in my case a book of memories and treasures and regrets...regrets only in the sense that this book did not exist prior to my visits to Rome.More than just an exposition of Michelangelo and his work, she captures the historical personalities of the period and brings the "rinascita" to life.Like taking a tidy course in Humanities, reading Angela's book will help anyone to become more learned in a pilgrimage to achieve the worthy status of being called "l'uomo universale." ... Read more

Product Description
In this masterly, Howard Hibbard relates Michelangelo's art to his life and to the times in which he lived, relying on the earliest biographies and the latest scholarly research as well as on Michelangelo's own letters and poems. What emerges is both a perspective appraisal of his work and a revealing life history of the man who was arguably the greatest artist of all time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

THE Basic Guide to Michelangelo and His Art

If you were to read only one text dealing with the great Michelangelo and his art, this would be the book.It is a succinct biography in which one also finds clear and well chosen discussions of the artistic works of the great Florentine.It would be fair to say that Professor Hibbard is a graceful guide to these works--he shows us the key elements of the sculpture, painting and architecture that made Michelangelo the preeminent figure of the Renaissance.And he presents them to us as the artist's life unfolds, so that we can understand the challenges met and problems solved at various stages in Michelangelo's development.

The book is filled with a large number of black and white photographs as well as plans and drawings which, together, help the reader understand each of the works being discussed.Indeed, the reader would be hard pressed to find more than a handful of opposing pages that do not have one or more illustrations.For those who are so inclined and long to see more of each work, they are titled so clearly that a quick search on line can bring plenty more to look at.But the illustrations provided in the book are more than sufficient for the reader's understanding.

If you are looking for a shocking expose of Michelangelo the man, with all of his secrets revealed (warts and all!), then you do not want to read this book.Professor Hibbard discusses Michelangelo's personality and personal life in detail, but always in the context of his creations.He writes with a deft and gentlemanly reserve that allows the reader to accept the facts without drawing unreasonable conclusions.

The conversations about the well-known works - the Pieta, the David, the Sistine Chapel ceiling and Last Judgment - are all clear and helpful.The on and off again relationships with various Medici and Popes provides a helpful understanding of how and why some of the artist's projects were unfinished, or completed in terms altogether different from their conception.

The discussions of the architectural contributions of Michelangelo are very good, and provide the reader with an appreciation of the sculptural qualities of these larger than life sculptures.Indeed, Hibbard's discussion of the Bibliotheca Laurenziana stairway and St Peter's are the best sort of architectural criticism to be found anywhere.

At the end of the book, but separate from the extensive bibliography, is a section called "Notes for Further Reading", which, if followed, could benefit the reader who wants to know more.

If you find this review hepful, why not read some of my other reviews!Happy reading!

A Great book on a great artist
There is probably no greater art historian in the second half of the 20th century than Howard Hibbard and this book is one of his best. Professor Hibbard, who has also written books on Caravaggio and a study of Poussin turns his attention to Michelanglo. This is not a rehash of The Agony and Ecstasy, Professor Hibbard's interest is in the work and the artist and not a study of the outward events of this great artist's life.I found Professor Hibbord's criticism insightful and interesting. I recommend this to anyone who is interested in the renaissance.

A good survey of the artist's life and works
In _Michelangelo_, Hibbard presents a unbiased account of Michelangelo's life in an enjoyable mix of historical narravitve and critical and contextual analysis.The writing is approachable with a minimum of high-brow art jargon.Hibbard also refrains from diving too deep intospeculation about fine points such as sexuality and politics.This book issuited for those desiring an end-to-end introduction to the man and hisart, or for those who have forgotten 90% of art survey 101, like me. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (107)

An artist consumed by art...
After reading this book you will never see or think of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel the same way again. Ross King not only details Michaelangelo's life in the 16th century and his relationship with the pope, but also, his relationship to the Sistine Chapel's ceiling.You will experience Michelangelo's artistic progression as he worked his way across the ceiling from one end to the other, and if you study the color illustrations (included in the paperback edition or you can find them online), you can see the increased complexity of his vision even as his hand grew more assured in the technique of fresco. A incredible story of an artist wholly consumed by his art.

Excellent
This book is truly excellent. Very wide scope: it covers from the psychology of the artists (particularly Michaelangelo and Raphael) and that of the Pope (Julius II) to the materials used in the colors, and the techniques of fresco painting. I enjoyed the style and the pace. A book to relish.

The Pope's Ceiling - book
This is the second copy of this book I purchased.Very well written, great book.I bought this copy for my sister-in-law who will
be going to Italy this fall. It gives a very in depth background to the painting of the Sistine Chapel, how the paints were prepared, Michelangelo's background and all about the process of painting as well as his other works.

Informative and Highly Interesting for Art Lovers and Italian Culture/History Buffs
I purchased this book for my niece for a college project she was working on in a chemistry class (they were studying paint pigments, etc.).It provided her with all the information she needed and she found it a fun and interesting read as well. After she finished she passed it back to me because she knew I would enjoy reading it.She was right!It's a fascinating read.The story would make a great period movie.The relationships, sometimes back-stabbing, political intrigue along with the actual artistic history of the Sistine Chapel ceiling would be better than fiction on screen.Highly recommended book, especially for art lovers, those who enjoy Italian culture and history, and/or those who are interested in Vatican history.

Foremost, great storytelling
The wealth of material and information about Michelangelo and his work-from his personal correspondence as well as from Vasari's "Lives of the Artists," is a full chronicle of the artist's long, spectacularly productive life. King thoroughly culls the record and spins a fascinating story of Michelangelo's creation of the Sistine Chapel, a masterpiece despite the interference and incessant meddling of his pontiff and benefactor Pope Julius II.

Michelangelo viewed himself a sculptor who was commissioned and cajoled by "Il Papa Terrible" into working in fresco. Just as Michelangelo had to learn a new and temperamental art form, King educates us in a lucid, astute and detailed primer just how delicate, exacting and meticulous frescoing is - from mixing the pigments to creating the "cartoons" and applying the colors to plaster that is at just the right temperature and consistency.

King convinces us that what Michelangelo created is a supreme testament to the artist's tenacity and perseverance. The Sistine Chapel is almost miraculous in its beauty. It is equally wondrous that Michelangelo's masterpiece of art and craftsmanship has survived history and continues to amaze just as it first did five centuries ago.
... Read more

Product Description
Continuing the Barron's Great Artist Series, Italy in the 15th and 16th centuries saw the most glorious rebirth of sculpture and painting since the times of ancient Greece and Rome. Among the highest achievements of the era were the works of Florence's Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564). Full-color illus. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Michelangelo
A great refresher book or a great introduction to the work of Michelangelo. Wonderful illustrations, readable text, well worth purchasing.

Wonderful, simply put, yet descriptive.
It is a talent to be able to write a book so easy to understand yet so descriptive and classy.It describes everything about Michelangelo you'd ever want to know and kids will be able to get an idea and appreciation for his work too.If your looking for something not so fancy dancy, this is for you. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

too small
The Dover Fine Art Stickers books are very small: about 6"x4", containing 4 pages of 4 stickers each. The stickers are okay in appearance, but are small, each less than 3"x2", and when peeled away from their backing sheet do not have a great deal of adhesive power.

Great artwork!
I like using stickers of works by great artists. But, why does it have to cost more than $1.50. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The divine, supreme Michelangelo
It is the first book I've read about Michelangelo, although I have read 3 books about the Sistine ceiling. Well,I found this book very interested despite the many details. There are so many letters of Michelangelo, but I don't know if that is helpful. One can learn a lot abouthis life, his family ,his friends and acquaintances. In fact, there are so many persons that one may be confused in some way. He doesn't speak about Michelangelo's art identically, but he gives a quite extensive reference for his best pictures. There are also enough historical background and a lot about his patrons. I think the historical background may be useful for anyone who wants to have a better understanding and a better knowledge if he or she wants to realise his mind, his thought,his wit, his mentality etc.
There are many pages for his family affairs and I don't think that is very helpful.In fact, it is rather tiresome, uninterested. There are also so many assistants of Michelangelo that finally I got confused.
Michelangelo's longevity,genious and searching practical intellect made him the divine, the incomparable, the insuperable painter and sculpture he was and still remains. Whoever wants something more he or she must visit Rome andFlorence as well.
PS: As for his poems I am not the one who can judge them although they seem sometimes passionate and quite lyric.
About his sculptures, there aren't enough information except the Pieta in Saint Peter's and his David, although he used to call himself as a sculpure than a painter.

I'll keep going.
I'll keep reading but I think I'm toouninformed about the Renaissance for this book to hold my attention much longer. It's nothing to jump from the year 1518 to 1513 to 1509 and back to 1519 in the space of 2 pages. And it's DRY. There are a few excerpts from various letters but they seem so vague to me. I'm not understanding the ramifications when a contract has been broken and money has already changed hands (it's happened a LOT)...I'm not understanding where the assistants come from, how many were needed, what their duties were and how they interacted with the artist, except to learn some didn't work out. I'm not understanding anything about the people he socialized with or even knew very well. I'm losing interest fast!

A great companion for a trip to Italy
I spent a week in Florence on my own and took this book with me.This book added so much to my trip.I would read this book while sipping coffee or having dinner...then I'd walk to the places it mentions in the book and lement about the stories I had just read.I finished the book close to the end of my trip.The book tells how Michelangelo's life ends...a visit to the Santa Maria where he is buried only seemed right.

Good read with insight.
This is a very good biography of Michelangelo that ranks along with Irving Stone's "The Agony and the Ecstasy" (fictional bio).Bull includes numerous letters to and from Michelangelo that involve friends and family.One is left with a good overall picture of Michelangelo and his times.I would have given it 5 stars if Bull was a little more inquisitve about painting and how painters of the time went about their work (including Michelangelo). ... Read more

Product Description
Full-page illustrations celebrate the power of Michelangelo's artistic achievement in sculpture.
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Customer Reviews (2)

Great Resource
I actually bought two copies of this book; one for myself and one for my teenage cousin who is a budding sculptor.

Needless to say we were both immensely pleased.

Its not a "text-heavy" book but it does contain enough information to make you feel informed. The quality of the images is spectacular and the detailsof the iconic and slightly lesser known sculptures have really helped him develop his technique.

Whether for educational application or casual perusal this book excels.

Do not hesitate: buy this book.
Don't let the price deceive, this is one of the best books of photographic reproductions available documenting M's sculpture. I originally purchased this in 2000 when I was in Rome, and I couldn't find it anywhere else. I wanted to give some copies to friends, and I had to order then from Italy, but now anyone can have this book; and you should buy it. Enclosed are beautiful, full page prints, and many macros from interesting angles; so close you can see the chisel marks! The works photographed:

Battle of Centaurs
Madonna of the Steps
Bacchus
La Pieta
David
Bruges Madonna
St. Matthew
Moses
The figures of the Medici Chapel
Slaves and captives
Brutus
Palestrina Pieta
Rondanini Pieta ... Read more

Product Description
Contrasts the genius of each, their technical mastery and the ways in which they were able to bring art to new heights. ... Read more