The renowned art historian takes readers "inside Michelangelo's mind" to reveals the fascinating story behind his Renaissance masterwork (The Guardian, UK).
You cannot stand underneath the Sistine Chapel ceiling without marveling at the painstaking work that went into its creation or the visionary genius of its creator. And yet, Michelangelo Buonarroti never wanted to paint the Sistine Chapel. Appointed by the temperamental "Warrior Pope" Julius II, Michelangelo suspected the large-scale project was concocted by his rivals and doomed to failure. After all, Michelangelo was not a painter—he was a sculptor.
In this enlightening work that combines biography, history and criticism, Andrew Graham-Dixon examines the artist's unique depiction of the Book of Genesis and details the grueling, years-long process that would damage his neck, back, and eyes. Complete with rich, full-color illustrations, Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel is an indispensable study that humanizes this heavenly masterpiece.