Michelangelo Buonarroti | Drawings | Page 2

A towering genius in the history of Western art, Michelangelo (Italian, Caprese 1475-1564 Rome) was celebrated during his long life for the excellence of his disegno, the power of drawing and invention that provided the foundation for all of the arts.

For his mastery of drawing, design, sculpture, painting, and architecture, he was called Il divino ("the divine one") by his contemporaries.

His powerful imagery and dazzling technical virtuosity transported viewers and imbued all of his works with a staggering force that continues to enthrall us today. | © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

• "In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely apparition to reveal it to the other eyes as mine see it".
• "It is necessary to keep one's compass in one's eyes and not in the hand, for the hands execute, but the eye judges".
• "It is well with me only when I have a chisel in my hand".
• "Lord, grant that I may always desire more than I can accomplish".
• "Many believe - and I believe - that I have been designated for this work by God. In spite of my old age, I do not want to give it up; I work out of love for God and I put all my hope in Him".

Un genio imponente nella storia dell'arte occidentale, Michelangeloè stato elebrato durante la sua lunga vita per l'eccellenza del suo disegno, il potere del disegno e dell'invenzione che ha fornito le fondamenta per tutte le arti.

Per la sua maestria nel disegno, nella scultura, nella pittura e nell'architettura, fu chiamato Il divino ("il divino") dai suoi contemporanei.

La sua potente immaginazione e il suo abbagliante virtuosismo tecnico hanno trasportato gli spettatori e impregnato tutte le sue opere con una forza impressionante che continua ad affascinare noi oggi. | © The Metropolitan Museum of Art