Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel

Of course, let us not quibble and just be happy that Mr. Graham Dixon has presented the reader with a knowledgable and unique view of the Sistine Chapel, presented in a concise and intelligent structure. Lost to the neophyte is the fact that when we speak of the Sistine Chapel vis a vis Michelangelo (completely ignoring the wall frescos by other artists)there are two separate works seperated by time and philosophical changes in the attitude of the artist. The author does a yeoman's job in framing the differences between the Last Judgment and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.As Mr. Graham Dixon points out in his notes at the end of the book (Yes, I did read the entire book before I wrote this) a bibliography of works in English on Michelangelo comprises 5 volumes. So I imagine that one could devote an inordinant amount of mis-spent time nit picking and obsessing over each fact in this book. However, the author gently and adequately introduces the reader to a methodology that he can use to acquire a deeper understanding of the two works.Alright allow me to quibble about two opinions offered by Andrew. I do believe that Michelangelo was not so reluctant to accept the commission to paint the chapel, to support this view, I cite a recently published book by John T. Spike, "Young Michelangelo: The Path To The Sistine: A Biography" an excellent companion to this book.Secondly, I beleive that Michelangelo exaggerated the discomfort he experienced. I also cite and recommend Ross King's book "Michelangelo and The Pope's Ceiling." which gives an exhaustive description of the working conditions, the scaffolding, and the process of fresco painting.Needless to say this places Andrew Graham-Dixon's book in some heady company and whether the reader is a student, art lover, or someone planning to view the chapel, he will be well rewarded by reading this book. Now if only they could get rid of all those fig leaves....

This book was informative, well written and a pleasure to read. The author’s erudition is obvious but he explains the frescos effortlessly, clearly avoiding the usual exaggerated jargon that one finds in some art historical works. He describes Michelangelo’s life and world so that we better understand the frescos and correlates them with scripture and literature.Finally he does provide enough high quality color pictures to be able to put his words with the images although I would have appreciated even more pictures. This however does not retract from the quality of this book. I recommend this book with no reservations.

For those of us who know only the basics of Michelangelo's involvement in the painting of the Sistine Chapel,this work details why he became charged with the project, how he accomplished the results he did, and whyhe not only agreed to do the work but also his personal creed for the design and methods. The author presentsa complete account of many facts about the project, including: time required, dimensions of pieces and of the wholeproject in the Chapel, and sequence and names of the individual pieces of art, He also includes some theories aboutthe origin, purpose, and participants in the project, and recounts some of the details the artist expressed about hisplanning, involvement, and "results" of his work ("I'm no painter .....and I'm not in a good place.") This is not anenchanting account, although once the dimensions of the project are understood it is easy to see how Michelangelo'schallenge and his achievement are beyond remarkable, and worth discovering and appreciating.

I enjoyed learning more about what life was like for the sculpture turrned painter, and conditions under Pope Julius 2. Without a Catholic background, I had much to learn. How could the author know what Michelangelo was thinking so long ago? The art talk and religious theory gets heavy at times, but this is the book to cover it. I regret that the Sistine Chapel closed before I could see it, but David and St. Peter's were wonderful on my one day in Rome.

For those familiar with his BBC documentaries, the engaging style of Graham Dixon won't come as a surprise. Neither is one of the main sources for this book: the work of Giorgio Vassari. While GD doesn't come up with any obscure source to explain Michelangelo's frescos, his account of the theological underpinnings of these monumental work are fresh and persuasive. His closing arguments are indeed brilliant and speak as much of Michelangelo as they do of GD's philosophy of art.

An intelligent and accessible overview of the artist’s life and the art and iconography of the Sistine Chapel. Eschews the usual convoluted analysis of the Chapel in favor of a straightforward but thorough exploration of both the artistic and spiritual content of the images. Provides insight into Michelangelo’s growth as an artist and as a pious man eager to serve God through his art. Recommended for anyone interested in the art of the Chapel; no art history degree required.

At the age of 23, I stepped into the Sistine Chapel, looked up and thought, "So this is it?" As I stared at the ceiling the figures seemed to come alive and I was mesmerized. 50 years later I still remember that moment. My only complaint about this book is that I would have liked for the pictures to be next to the text rather than the pictures all at one time. I recommend having a copy of the painting as you read the descriptions and interpretations. It is a good study of a one-of-a-kind work of genius.

I never realized the difficult time the artist had in those days never sure of staying in favor. Also the physical strain of this wonderful work. Each scene was a painting within itself

Andrew Graham Dixon ist ein leidenschaftlicher Kunsthistoriker. Alle seine (BBC-)Dokumentationen sind absolut sehenswert. Um so schöner, dass es nun zur Sixtinischen Kapelle ein Buch von ihm gibt.

Andrew Graham-Dixon is an excellent and exceedingly well-informed guide to the life of Michelangelo andparticularly his frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. He builds up a convincing picture of an artist at the heightof his powers both as a painstaking artist and a self-motivated thinker about Theology.'Michelangelo And The Sistine Chapel' wonderfully describes and analyses Michelangelo's Sistine Chapelensemble of characters. There are also excellent quotes from contemporary biographies and the authorhelps one to see many of the messages and meanings behind Michelangelo's art.For me the key to interpreting the overriding message is the Prophet Jonah.It is the Book of Jonah that finishes with the greatest verse about God's mercy and loving judgement in thebible - Jonah 4:11. This for me is the ending of things, God's mercy which overrides the bleak picture ofthe Book of Revelation which describes a thoroughly deserved judgement which by God's grace and mercywe may yet avoid.Andrew Graham-Dixon certainly thinks the Prophet Jonah has a pivotal position in the overall plan and wasprobably the figure with whom Michelangelo most identified, depicted leaning back not unlike the artisthimself as he created these amazing frescoes.A divine spark always seems to bridge the gap between God and Adam and between Michelangelo and us!

Everyone knows Michelangelo's fresco of the creation of Adam. Andrew Graham-Dixon writes about all the other frescos, too: the scenes from Genesis, the prophets, the sybils, the ignudi, and so on. We learn why each was painted, and its place in the ceiling's overall plan, which is an account of God's love for the human race he had created and was to redeem through Christ.Graham-Dixon presents as a coherent whole what can seem simply a collection of wonderful pictures. I must have visited the Sistine Chapel a dozen times in my life; his book interpreted the whole ceiling to me for the first time. His account of the Last Judgement is a bonus. This book has met my need, and I am happy to recommend it.

Nice little book containing a lot of information from the very knowledgeable Andrew Graham-Dixon.

Gorgeously easy to read (as well as to remember afterwards), totally absorbing, and delightfully, beautifully written.