Main entry:

Balas, Edith.

Title & Author:

Michelangelo's Medici Chapel : a new interpretation / Edith Balas.

Publication:

Philadelphia : American Philosophical Society, 1995.

Description:

x, 196 pages : illustrations ; 29 cm.

Series:

Memoirs of the American Philosophical Society, 0065-9738 ; v. 216

Notes:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 179-184) and index.
I. Prevalent Modern Interpretations of the Medici Chapel -- II. Michelangelo and Neoplatonism -- III. Mystic Symbolism, Magic and Astrology in Renaissance Neoplatonism. 1. Mystic Symbolism. 2. Magic. 3. Astrology -- IV. Jupiter and Saturn. 1. Giuliano -- Jupiter. 2. Lorenzo -- Saturn -- V. Night and Dawn. 1. Cielo and Terra. 2. Role of Earth Goddess as Mother and Virgin -- VI. Day and Evening -- VII. The River Gods -- VIII. The Decorative Elements of the Chapel -- IX. Other Medici Programs with Neoplatonic Iconographical Content. 1. The Carnival Parade. 2. Entrance of Leo. 3. Poggio a Caiano. 4. Sala dei Pontefici -- X.A Mausoleum for the Four Medicis -- XI. The Iconography of the Medici Chapel as an Expression of Neoplatonic Philosophy -- Appendix: Further Reflections on the Casa Buonarroti Inscription.

Summary:

There are no surviving documents that explain Michelangelo's complex sculptural program for the Medici Chapel. The work as we have it is no more than an unfinished, fragmentary realization of the artist's original conception. Speculation about its meaning began quite early, for Michelangelo's contemporaries were apparently no better informed than we. An interpretation made by Benedetto Varchi in 1549 and since universally accepted, was by his own admission a personal opinion, not confirmed by the artist. In the sixteenth century, interpretations quite at variance with modern scholarly assumptions were made: for example, a German visitor of 1536 identified the figures now commonly called "Night" and "Day" as "Minerva" and "Hermes."

Resources:
Table of contents

ISBN:

0871692163
9780871692160

Subject:

Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1475-1564 Criticism and interpretation.
Medici, House of Tombs.
Medici family Tombs.
Maison des Médicis Tombeaux.
Medici, House of
Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1475-1564
Michelangelo Buonarroti 1475-1564
Michelangelo, 1475-1564.
Michel-Ange, (1475-1564) Critique et interprétation.
Médicis (famille de) Tombes.
San Lorenzo (Church : Florence, Italy). Sagrestia nuova.
San Lorenzo (Church, Florence). Sagrestia nuova.
Sculpture, Italian Italy Florence.
Mannerism (Art) Italy Florence.
Sculpture italienne Italie Florence.
Maniérisme (Art) Italie Florence.
21.52 history of sculpture.
Mannerism (Art)
Sculpture, Italian
Tombs
Plastieken.
Grafmonumenten.
Medicikapel (Florence)
Sculpture, Italian Florence.
Sculpture, Renaissance Italy Florence.
Symbolism in art.
Neoplatonism.
Artists Italy 16th century.
Signes et symboles Dans l'art.
Néo-platonisme.
Italy Florence
San Lorenzo Neue Sakristei
Florence (Italie) Cappella dei principi.
Florence (Italie) Basilica di San Lorenzo.
Florenz San Lorenzo Neue Sakristei.
Michelangelo Buonarroti 1475-1564 Criticism and interpretation
San Lorenzo (Church : Florence, Italy) Sagrestia nuova

Form/genre:

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Added entries:

Memoirs of the American Philosophical Society ; v. 216.

Holdings:

Location: Library main 197032
Call No.: ID NA44.M623; ID:98-B2069
Status: Available