In 1508, despite strong advice to the contrary, the powerful Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the newly restored Si...
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Jan 09, 2008
Tung
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Russ King’s bestseller describes the painting of the Sistine Chapel under the reign of Pope Julius II, a notorious tyrant of a pope. The book details the technical challenges of the painting of the Sistine Chapel (ranging from paint issues to scaffolding issues to design issues), the life of Michelangelo leading up to the commission, the historical events during the reign of Julius and how they intersect with the chapel painting, and other such details. Overall, I had a hard time getting throu
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Apr 19, 2011
Linda
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Having immensely enjoyed reading Brunelleschi's Dome by the same author, I knew this bestseller about Michelangelo would not disappoint. Through thorough research, Ross King exposes truths that rectify many prevailing myths, particularly those promulgated by cinema. Indeed, Michelangelo did not lie flat on his back to paint painstakingly the frescoed scenes on the curved Sistine Chapel ceiling. The artist, in fact, wrote to his father describing how he had to stand on raised scaffolding in an
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Oct 02, 2011
Jean
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What a treat. This book felt like the best read I've had in a long
time. This may seem unfair to some of the great books I've read
recently, but this one was at the same time instructive and of very
easy access. It covered everything from the technical aspects of
painting frescos to the artistic concerns that went into the vault of
the Sistine Chapel, to the geo-political landscape of Italy at the
beginning of the 16<sup>th</sup> Century.
The books starts with Michelangelo's early career More...
time. This may seem unfair to some of the great books I've read
recently, but this one was at the same time instructive and of very
easy access. It covered everything from the technical aspects of
painting frescos to the artistic concerns that went into the vault of
the Sistine Chapel, to the geo-political landscape of Italy at the
beginning of the 16<sup>th</sup> Century.
The books starts with Michelangelo's early career More...
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Sep 16, 2011
Roger
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A fascinating non-fiction account of Michelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling.
King's account of the painting of this most famous fresco is brewed in a rich broth of historical detail that puts the creation of the ceiling into a magnificently complete context. King brings the reader to a far greater appreciation of the work than could ever be grasped by focusing on the fresco and the fresco process itself. If you ever plan to see the chapel's ceiling for yourself, if you More...
King's account of the painting of this most famous fresco is brewed in a rich broth of historical detail that puts the creation of the ceiling into a magnificently complete context. King brings the reader to a far greater appreciation of the work than could ever be grasped by focusing on the fresco and the fresco process itself. If you ever plan to see the chapel's ceiling for yourself, if you More...
Feb 14, 2011
Debbie
rated it:
"Michelangelo & the Pope's Ceiling" is a history book about the famous works of Michelangelo (with a focus on the Sistine Chapel ceiling) with details about the activities of Pope Julius II, including his military campaigns and the other artists he had busy at work for him, like Raphael. The author used quotes from letters penned by Michelangelo and biographies written about him at the time to help give a personal note to the story. The writing was fairly entertaining and full of drama
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Aug 23, 2009
Patti
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This books dispels some of the myths surrounding the painting of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The book is created from Michaelangelo's family letters and supporting history. It creates the story of the events surrounding the painting of the fresco, including the physical toll that it took on Michaelangelo. It also touches upon the rivalries and competition between some of the greatest of the Renaissance painters, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael, as well as their wealthy and powerf
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Aug 03, 2009
Algernon
rated it: 
Ross King made an enormous contribution with his previous work on Brunelleschi and the dome at Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. With extensive illustrations, he gave us a history rich in entertaining anecdotal detail, but also an in-depth understanding of the engineering challenges and the aesthetics of the city, the period, and the people involved in this project.
That book was surely a tough act to follow, but this would have been a suitable subject: Michelangelo's engagement by More...
That book was surely a tough act to follow, but this would have been a suitable subject: Michelangelo's engagement by More...
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Sep 14, 2011
Nathalie
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This is the type of non-fiction book I love to read---it combines history, art, human interest, humor and a foreign language (in this case Italian--I highly recommend listening to this book on CD. Alan Sklar, the reader, speaks Italian beautifully and I had a great time repeating his melodious words!).
Michelangelo Buonarroti--yes, THAT Michelangelo--is already one of the great sculptors of his time--this is his forte. Yet, through rivalries and intrigues, he is commissioned to paint the More...
Michelangelo Buonarroti--yes, THAT Michelangelo--is already one of the great sculptors of his time--this is his forte. Yet, through rivalries and intrigues, he is commissioned to paint the More...
Jun 22, 2009
Karyl
rated it:
This book is a fascinating trip through early 16th century Italy, focusing mainly on the frescoing of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. I read several reviews here on Goodreads in which the reviewers felt that the author should have stuck solely to Michelangelo and his art, and that all the other information given is completely extraneous. I have to say I completely disagree with that. A work of art is not created in a vacuum. There were many events, political and religious, swirling around
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Dec 09, 2009
Heidi
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Although I enjoyed this book overall, and King does a good job dispelling some of the myths that have arisen around Michelangelo and the painting of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling, it read too much like an arts major's master thesis. It felt like the author wasn't really engaged with his subject, or wasn't able to convey his enthusiasm if he was.
I was also disappointed that the picture section 1. did not show the ceiling in its entirety, and 2. did not have close-up views of the pa More...
I was also disappointed that the picture section 1. did not show the ceiling in its entirety, and 2. did not have close-up views of the pa More...
Mar 22, 2011
Ed
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Pretty interesting book. A lot of lively detail about Michaelangelo, other artists, and that wild choleric warrior Pope, Julius, who seems even more eccentric than the artists.
The reconstruction of how Michaelangelo actually worked, seems pretty convincing. Yeah, for one thing, he had help, which should be no surprise. The idea that he laid in all the plaster himself and laid in every square inch of the background color would be pretty unbelievable. He seems to have been responsibl More...
The reconstruction of how Michaelangelo actually worked, seems pretty convincing. Yeah, for one thing, he had help, which should be no surprise. The idea that he laid in all the plaster himself and laid in every square inch of the background color would be pretty unbelievable. He seems to have been responsibl More...
May 17, 2009
Lani
rated it:
I'd tried this before, and for whatever reason couldn't seem to get into it. It did take a little while to get going, but it was an interesting subject that I knew next to nothing about.
A pretty detailed recounting of Michelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel. The book doesn't stick to Michelangelo however, it also includes various diversions - specifically about Pope Julius and Raphael. Frankly, I found some of the political details a little confusing and irrelevant. It is clear More...
A pretty detailed recounting of Michelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel. The book doesn't stick to Michelangelo however, it also includes various diversions - specifically about Pope Julius and Raphael. Frankly, I found some of the political details a little confusing and irrelevant. It is clear More...
Mar 20, 2009
Mic
rated it:
Audiobook narrated by John Lee
I enjoyed the book. Having looked upon the Sistine Chapel in person many years ago, it was wonderful to hear the back story. The narrator gives great pronunciations of the Italian names and his voice is quite perfect for the story. The only difficult thing is that without looking at the pictures or illustrations, you are missing out on some of the observations the book makes on various works of art. Also, it gets confusing keeping all the people stra More...
I enjoyed the book. Having looked upon the Sistine Chapel in person many years ago, it was wonderful to hear the back story. The narrator gives great pronunciations of the Italian names and his voice is quite perfect for the story. The only difficult thing is that without looking at the pictures or illustrations, you are missing out on some of the observations the book makes on various works of art. Also, it gets confusing keeping all the people stra More...
Nov 22, 2010
Linda
rated it:
I loved learning some of the technical things used in creating this masterpiece. No, the celiling wasn't drawn free-hand as I imagined. Lots of info on Pope Julius, who must have been a real nut-job to work for...certainly one who saw himself as king of the universe! I recently read a book about Henry the VIII and it was interesting to read this book which took place during the same time period...just in Italy rather than England. Michaelangelo left behind letters and diaries that helped later g
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Aug 09, 2009
Shelli
rated it:
This is a biography of Michelangelo centering around his frescoing of the Sistine Chapel ceiling at the Vatican in Rome. It is a completely fascinating and well written description of the politics, artistic processes and interpersonal drama that went into the famous fresco. This book is full of art and Roman history, providing a very interesting context to Michelangelo's life and work. I was astonished by the corruption and narcissism of Pope Julius II, who commissioned the ceiling fresco and
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Apr 28, 2009
Eli
rated it:
I've come to expect a certain popular story-telling structure from best-seller non fiction, but this book takes a decidedly drier approach than I imagined it would. It's an honest, academically researched, meticulously laid out history.
While generally interesting, there were definitely points where the detail got a little tiring. In general, the slowest parts were toward the beginning of the book, with it really picking up steam toward the end.
Illustrations are unconsci More...
While generally interesting, there were definitely points where the detail got a little tiring. In general, the slowest parts were toward the beginning of the book, with it really picking up steam toward the end.
Illustrations are unconsci More...
Dec 14, 2011
Susan
rated it:
During this - my year of reading all about Italy - I've studied Pisa's Tower, Brunelleschi's Dome and now Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. Just like Ross King's other book on the historical Florentine dome, this is a non-fiction account of the painting of the world's most famous ceiling.It combines 16th century Italian history with biographical information on Pope Julius, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo; it also adds to that a great deal of detail on everything from building scaffoldin
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Aug 08, 2010
Rebecca
rated it:
Fun to learn about--
art (fresco and sculpture)
artists (Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael et al.)
physics (gravity, for starters)
chemistry (how does fresco stick? where does the color come from?)
geology (pigments come from rocks? who knew?)
engineering (if you can design a bridge, you can design a scaffold)
history (popes and other rulers make war, living conditions during the Renaissance)
anthropology (family relationships and expectations, the reign o More...
art (fresco and sculpture)
artists (Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael et al.)
physics (gravity, for starters)
chemistry (how does fresco stick? where does the color come from?)
geology (pigments come from rocks? who knew?)
engineering (if you can design a bridge, you can design a scaffold)
history (popes and other rulers make war, living conditions during the Renaissance)
anthropology (family relationships and expectations, the reign o More...
Aug 06, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it:
Good overview of the process of commissioning and carrying out a major work of art in the Renaissance. A few minor bloopers (some confusion about Latin titles and the inquisition, for example) but generally well-researched and missing the egregious errors of many works of popular history. The author tries to build tension through the artistic rivalry between Michelangelo and Raphael (who was also a contrast in personality), but since he cannot document much in the way of direct interaction betw
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Aug 05, 2010
Jim
rated it:
This fascinating narrative portrays the many struggles of Michelangelo in painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Like most who have seen the ceiling in person, I was mesmerized by the sheer scope and beauty of the work. Even after seeing 'The Agony and the Ecstasy', I found it very difficult to conceive how such a massive project could ever have been completed, let alone with such surpassing skill. This book puts you there as it happened, with gritty and fascinating detail and masterful sto
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Jan 04, 2009
patience
rated it:
Not a particularly literary book, but full of very interesting historical information. Michelangelo was 89 when he died; he hadn't done fresco for years when he undertook the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel; he was misanthropic and didn't really have apprentices; Julius II, Pope who commissioned Michelangelo for the work was syphilitic and liked to hit people when he was angry; Raphael may have painted a portrait of Michelangelo into one of his frescoes in the Pope's apartments. And more and mor
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Jul 26, 2011
Amie
rated it:
This is another excellent book by Ross King. It details Michelangelo's experience in painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and places it within the context of religion/politics, the art world, and Michelangelo's personal life. It was interesting to see how Michelangelo's concept for the ceiling and his skill for executing it evolved as he worked. It's amazing to me that he never wanted this commission, and that it was his first attempt at a serious fresco. And here it is, still one of the
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Jun 08, 2010
Kathy
rated it:
The Missouri History Museum is currently hosting an incredible exhibition from the Vatican called Vatican Splendors, focused in part on St. Peter's Basilica. As one of the staff volunteering to take a gallery attendant position on occasion, I was eager to read something on the basic subject besides the rather abbreviated exhibit labels. King's book was an excellent choice, very readable and informative. With the Sistine Chapel ceiling as a basis, he explores beyond the title topic into Vatican p
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Nov 06, 2011
Laurie
rated it:
It was a huge chore to slug my way through this tome. Perhaps if a trip to Italy were in the near future I'd have enjoyed it more. As it is, I realized that the descriptions of more than one painting or fresco were ones I'd blithely walked past with barely a glance when I was in Florence a few years ago. I did learn a lot about the Sistine Chapel and if I ever see it I'll know more than most, but that's what tour guides are for, so why did I force myself to finish it? No reason but stubbornness
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Aug 31, 2010
Sarah
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I picked this book to read for class. I loved it. I listend to the book on tape version. It was informative on both Michelangelo, his history and life and works aswell as the Pope (Julius II) and the affairs concerning the church at that time. It was fast, and not difficult to follow. The other thing i liked about this book was the art and the details about how Michelangelo did everything. You also learn all of his personal affairs, making it more interesting. So if you have to read a book, pick
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May 05, 2010
Rett
rated it:
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 wh More...
Michelangelo viewed himself a sculptor wh More...
Oct 26, 2008
Jennifer
rated it:
This was a fascinating book. Frankly, I'm surprised by how well I enjoyed it since non-fiction is not my usual literature of choice.
The book offers wonderful details on the incredible chore of painting such a huge expanse of vaulted ceiling. It also debunks a number of common myths. For example, Michelangelo did not paint the ceiling while lying on his back. There was about a 6 foot clearance between the floor of the scaffolding and the painting surface. Admittedly, this would not be More...
The book offers wonderful details on the incredible chore of painting such a huge expanse of vaulted ceiling. It also debunks a number of common myths. For example, Michelangelo did not paint the ceiling while lying on his back. There was about a 6 foot clearance between the floor of the scaffolding and the painting surface. Admittedly, this would not be More...
May 20, 2008
Dale
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 12, 2009
Sonja
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I was a confused at first because I thought it was a historical novel and there wasn't any character development. Once I realized that is was not a novel, but history, I enjoyed it much more. It has lots of interesting tid bits about the time period when Michaelangelo painted the ceiling of Sistine Chapel and about the process of painting at that time. I could probably have lived without knowing that earwax was once used as a paint binder, but you can't say you learn something like that everyday
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Sep 10, 2010
Mireserenya
rated it:
Ross King does an excellent job of telling the tale of Michelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel ceiling in context of the time. By juxtaposing Michelangelo's work on the ceiling with that of Raphael's frescos in the Pope's chambers, Mr. King reveals the interesting history of art. Like his other works, Mr. King tells the story in short vignettes loaded with detail and the occasional bit of wit. I recommend this book to people who are looking to get a broader understand of the history that s
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