Before reaching the age of 30, Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) had already created two of the most famous sculptures in art history: David and the Pietà. Like his fellow Florentine, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo was a shining star of the Renaissance, possessing extraordinary talent. His achievements as a sculptor, painter, draftsman, and architect are unparalleled—no artist before or after him has produced such a vast, multifaceted, and wide-ranging body of work. Only a few other painters and sculptors have attained a comparable social status and enjoyed similar artistic freedom. This is evident not only in the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel but also in Michelangelo's monumental sculptures and his unconventional architectural designs, which went far beyond the accepted norms of his time. His talent was so remarkable that his contemporaries regarded him as a demigod, and he was the subject of two biographies during his lifetime. Admiration for this extraordinary artist has only grown over the centuries.
Following the success of our XL edition of Leonardo da Vinci, TASCHEN presents this even more comprehensive tome, exploring Michelangelo's life and work in greater depth and detail than ever before. The first part of the book focuses on Michelangelo's life through a detailed and richly illustrated biographical essay, while the main section is divided into four parts, providing a complete analytical inventory of Michelangelo's paintings, sculptures, buildings, and drawings. Stunning full-page reproductions and enlarged details allow readers to appreciate these works up close.
This sumptuous volume also delves into Michelangelo's personal traits and circumstances like never before, exploring his solitary nature, his thirst for money and commissions, his frugality, immense wealth, and skill as a property investor. Additionally, the book addresses the controversial issue of the attribution of Michelangelo's drawings, a field where decisions are still influenced by the interests of the art market and major collections. This book will serve as the definitive volume on Michelangelo for generations to come.
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Authors: Christof Thoenes, Frank Zöllner, Thomas Pöpper