“Michelangelo: Mind of the Master” shows rich history of one of the most influential artists

By Andonia Goergen 

Staff Writer 

Art lovers don’t have to go far to witness the work of one of the most well-known and imaginative artists, with the Getty Center’s newest exhibit “Michelangelo: Mind of the Master.”

“Michelangelo: Mind of the Master” is a fascinating exhibit that enthralls viewers with its deep history and array of pieces that each tell their own story. Michelangelo’s dedication to his work is evident through the pieces on display, and viewers can learn a lot about his artistic process and inspirations. 

The exhibit features the work of the Italian artist Michelangelo Buonarroti who, despite being alive during the fifteenth and sixteenth century, is still relevant today. His works have remained an important part of the world’s culture and “Michelangelo: Mind of the Master” helps to keep that culture alive. 

The J. Paul Getty Museum and the Cleveland Museum of Art teamed up with the Teylers Museum to organize this exhibit. Twenty-five of the drawings featured in the exhibit belong to the Teylers Museum, which is located in the Netherlands. This is the first time they are being shown as a group in the United States, giving visitors of this exhibit an exclusive and unique experience. 

Michelangelo created all forms of art, including sculptures, paintings and architecture, but “Michelangelo: Mind of the Master” primarily focuses on a series of drawings and sketches that show how he prepared for some of his most recognizable pieces. Because Michelangelo was very protective of his ideas, he burned many of his drawings. However, these pieces are among the 600 known drawings that still remain of his, placing even greater importance on this exhibition.

A main focus of Michelangelo’s was human anatomy. Viewers can see in his drawings that he placed an emphasis on muscles and bones, which helped him capture how the shape of the human body changes as it moves. His strong attention to detail and dedication to perfecting his art is evident through the drawings featured at “Michelangelo: Mind of the Master,” and help viewers appreciate his artwork even more. 

Perhaps one of his most famous paintings is the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which Michelangelo worked on from 1508 until 1512. “Michelangelo: Mind of the Master” features a life size image of a portion of the Sistine Chapel titled “The Creation of Adam.” Although it is not the actual mural, the exhibit features Michelangelo’s sketches that he based the painting off of, giving viewers a good idea of his thought process. Both the recreation of “The Creation of Adam” and the drawings display intense emotion and have deep symbolism. 

The exhibit also features another part of the Sistine Chapel called “The Last Judgment.” This large piece shows God sitting in judgement of humankind. Michelangelo pushed the boundaries at the time by displaying many nude saints and a bare-chested God, which caused controversy within the Catholic Church at the time. Michelangelo’s creativity and imagination is inspiring and provides an interesting take on what was socially normal hundreds of years ago. 

“The Battle of Cascina” is another notable piece of Michelangelo’s that is dissected at “Michelangelo: Mind of the Master” through a series of drawings, as well as a recreation of the painting itself. Although the painting was never completed, the unfinished painting again uses the human body and nudity to capture a realistic image of Florentine soldiers being ambushed by enemy forces as they bathe in the river Arno. This piece emits powerful emotion through the facial expressions and body positioning of the subjects. 

The pieces on display at “Michelangelo: Mind of the Master,” not only show how art has changed from the period of the Renaissance, but also how artists like Michelangelo have kept their work so timeless throughout all of these years. This exhibit provides visitors with an idea of Michelangelo’s inspirations and obstacles, while simultaneously providing an interesting history lesson for those unfamiliar with Michelangelo’s lesser known works. 

“Michelangelo: Mind of the Master” opened on Feb. 25 and is open for visitation at The Getty Center until June 7. For more information on the exhibit and visiting hours, visit getty.edu.