Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel are as recognizable as McDonalds and their Golden Arches. This Renaissance Master is positioned high above all others while most have never given a second thought to the man behind the myth. Michelangelo’s masterful contributions to the art world might be the only things most of us know about him. However, if we go beyond the bigger than life persona insight can be given into understanding the complex artistic personality and reveal complex family secrets. Throughout his lifetime these dynamics had a profound affect on Michelangelo the man.

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) was the second of five sons. His mother died when he was not yet ten years old, after she gave birth to his youngest brother. His position within the family was one of the caretaker. The clan demanded the artist to support the father, four brothers, aunt and uncle both financially and emotionally.

Early in his artistic career Michelangelo established himself with the reputation as being an industrious enterprising craftsman and not above forgery. He arrived dramatically upon the scene when he reportedly unearthed and subsequently sold an ancient Roman statue to Cardinal Raffael Riario. Soon it was exposed as a fake; for, it was discovered that Michelangelo himself had copied the statute and buried it in a local garden. However, the outcome proved favorable to the artist because the Cardinal was impressed with his talents and agreed to sponsor and become the patron of the young Michelangelo.

Michelangelo signed the Sistine Chapel ceiling contract on May 10, 1508. For his efforts he would receive 3,000 ducats, which in today’s market would equal approximately $300,000. But, this commission came with a price. Contrary to popular belief the artist did not lay on his back to paint as he stood during the ceilings execution. Examining correspondence we discover an insecure overworked technician. Writing to his father he complained of severe neck pain, crippling depression and was in dire need of funds owed him by Pope Julius II all the while suffering from doubt as to the competence of the execution. Alas, his words went unheard for, while the artist was obsessed with painting the frescoed ceiling and meeting the deadline for its completion it was revealed that his father had stripped his account of all monies leaving the overworked, exhausted, frustrated artist with insufficient funds to either live on or much less finish the work.

Raphael (1483-1520) and Michelangelo were contemporary rivals and working in Rome at the same time. The men were complete opposites as Raphael was considered the showman dandy completely outfitted with a cape while Michelangelo was an unpretentious master who wore the same clothes for months at a time and who rarely bathed. Raphael was constantly in gay spirits surrounded by an adoring entourage while Michelangelo often walked Rome’s streets alone with stooped shoulders, exhausted and often preoccupied about family and finances.

The Sistine Chapel ceiling was completed in 1512. It is interesting to note that Michelangelo considered himself a sculptor first and an inexperienced painter second. Life continued for this Renaissance Master as pressing family dynamics were not allowed to interfere with the ceilings execution. Consequently, today the Chapel ceiling is regarded as the most masterful example of human accomplishment achieved by a single artist either during the Renaissance or Modern History.

The Art Historian 2009