Did you know that Michelangelo was the first western artist whose biography was published while he was alive.Two biographies were published of him during his lifetime; one of them, by Giorgio Vasari, proposed that he was the pinnacle of all artistic achievement since the beginning of the Renaissance, a viewpoint that continued to have currency in art history for centuries.
I began to think about the power of Michelangelo's art in responding. Then I thought about the movements such a impressionism, cubism and AbEx that were critical.
But the real change in this is outside of the artworld. The Reformation shifts western power till the people become sovereign. An ongoing process.
Michangelo's work is never diminished. The old cliche he was a product of his times is not a needed defense. He is that great.
Do you mean this Michel Angelo: Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, (born March 6, 1475, Caprese, Republic of Florence [Italy]—died February 18, 1564, Rome, Papal States)?
Actually I did not know that. I did not think there was any biography about Michelangelo that was not fiction.
I will agree with Dave, although he was one of the finest artists ever, more did happen after. Not to diminish his work - he was a master but what he did was nothing new - just better? Everything that came after was for me more exciting.
"he was one of the finest artists ever, more did happen after"
This applies to any artist deemed a master long after their death.
To appreciate an artist's contribution, temporal relevance is the primary factor. To compare outside of temporal factors is like comparing ancient Roman gladiator fights to modern day Olympics. Similar but from different eras.
I knew about this..and was thinking and doing some research...so imho, the fact that he had his written biography in his lifetime can be considered due to the fact that he was working a lot for the Vatican...and probably the Catholic Church had some 'influence', because at that time it was paramount to be with 'clean' bio from clerical point of view. At that time publishing any book was under the supervision of the Church...and quite expensive.
Michelangelo had major connections!
He was raised in the house of the Medici. Shortly after the chapel was finished, a Medici became Pope. Pope Leo X a/k/a Giovanni Medici.
Makes one wonder, did Michelangelo help Giovanni secure the Papacy or did the Medici secure Michelangelo's career? Maybe a little of both.
