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62 CHAPTER 2 | European Society in the Renaissance 1350–1550

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Michelangelo’s David (1501–1504) and the Last Judgment (detail,
s

’
M
ichelangelo
1537–1541)
1537–1541) Like all Renaissance artists, Michelangelo worked largely on
commissions from patrons. Officials of the city of Florence contracted the
commissions from patrons. Officials of the city of Florence contracted the
young sculptor to produce a statue of the Old Testament hero David (left) to be
young sculptor to produce a statue of the Old Testament hero David (left) to be
displayed on the city’s main square. Michelangelo portrayed David anticipat-
displayed on the city’s main square. Michelangelo portrayed David anticipat-
ing his fight against the giant Goliath, and the statue came to symbolize the
ing his fight against the giant Goliath, and the statue came to symbolize the
republic of Florence standing up to its larger and more powerful enemies. More
republic of Florence standing up to its larger and more powerful enemies. More
than thirty years later, Michelangelo was commissioned by the pope to paint
than thirty years later, Michelangelo was commissioned by the pope to paint
a scene of the Last Judgment on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, where he
a scene of the Last Judgment on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, where he
had earlier spent four years covering the ceiling with magnificent frescoes.
had earlier spent four years covering the ceiling with magnificent frescoes.
The massive work shows a powerful Christ standing in judgment, with souls
The massive work shows a powerful Christ standing in judgment, with souls
ascending into Heaven while others are dragged by demons into Hell (above).
ascending into Heaven while others are dragged by demons into Hell (above).
avid
captur
f
ome t
ec
D
tion and has c
The David captures ideals of human perfection and has come to be an iconic
o be an ic
onic
The David captures ideals of human perfection and has come to be an iconic
es ideals of human per
D
avid
symbol of Renaissance artistic brilliance, while the dramatic and violent Last
symbol of Renaissance artistic brilliance, while the dramatic and violent
Judgment conveys both terror and divine power. (sculpture: Accademia, Florence, Italy/conveys both terror and divine power.
Judgment
Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali/Scala/Art Resource, NY; painting: Vatican Museums and Galleries,
Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali/Scala/Art Resource, NY; painting: Vatican Museums and Galleries,
Vatican State/Alinari/Bridgeman Images)
Vatican State/Alinari/Bridgeman Images)
was one of the earliest artists to use oil-based paints Italy and produced woodcuts, engravings, and etchings
successfully, and his religious scenes and portraits all that rendered the human form and the natural world
show great realism and remarkable attention to human in amazing detail. Fascinated with the theoretical and
personality. Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528), from the practical problems of perspective, he designed mechan-
German city of Nuremberg, studied with artists in ical devices that could assist artists in solving these
04_howsap14e_48443_ch02_044_079.indd 62 12/10/23 1:44 PM