Figure Studies for the Sistine Ceiling (verso)

1510–11

Michelangelo Buonarroti

(Italian, 1475–1564)

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Culture

Italy, 16th century

Medium

red chalk heightened with traces of white

Support

Beige(2) laid paper, perimeter mounted to gray laid paper

Measurements

Sheet: 23.4 x 33.5 cm (9 3/16 x 13 3/16 in.); Secondary Support: 24.4 x 34.4 cm (9 5/8 x 13 9/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift in memory of Henry G. Dalton by his nephews George S. Kendrick and Harry D. Kendrick 1940.465.b

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Location

Not on view

Description

Universally considered one of the greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance, Michelangelo devoted four years to painting the vast ceiling fresco in the Sistine Chapel. This preparatory study portrays one of the 20 athletic male nudes, known as ignudi, who serve as supporting figures at each corner of the Old Testament scenes painted down the center of the ceiling. Michelangelo worked out the positioning of the ignudi in red chalk drawings before beginning to paint each section of wet plaster. The energy and monumentality of the figure in red chalk, whose body extends beyond the sheet, suggests the heroic athleticism of Michelangelo’s sculpture.