What's Wrong With Michelangelo's Masterpiece 'The Last Judgment'?

theagnes (37)in #art • 7 years ago

Hello Steemians! 😍

Hope all of you are having a great day.
I brought another interesting art story today -

You might not be interested in art, but still you should've heard of his name: Michelangelo.
He is one of the most famous sculptor and painter of Italian Renaissance, along with Leonardo da Vinci and Raphaelo.

_{Portrait of Michelangelo by Daniele da Volterra, Source: Wikipedia}

A lot of us may know him as the painter of <The Creation of Adam> on the ceiling of Sistine Chapel, or the fresco of <The Last Judgment> on the chapel's alter wall, or his best-known sculptures, <David> and <La Pieta>. Michelangelo didn't want to call himself a painter, as he always signed his letters "Michelangelo, sculptor in Rome."

A Warning Message to Heretics

Europe in the 1500's was in a religious chaos due to the attack of Rome and Protestant reformers. Pope Paul III and Roman Catholic Church wanted to send a warning message to those who disobey: "He will come again in to judge the living and the dead. (from the Apostle's Creed)"

There was no better person in Rome to assign this task. Michelangelo accepts the commission under one condition: "No one is allowed to enter his workroom until I finish it."

_{<The Last Judgment> by Michelangelo(1536-1541), 13.7m x 12m, Sistine Chapel, Vatican City}

After 7 years of dedication, <The Last Judgment> was unveiled to the public. He was 76 when he finished the painting. _{(Wow 😵😵)} People were shocked at how figures were depicted all in nude, even Jesus and the Virgin Mary were painted in nude!

After years of disputes, the church decided to "dress" the figures, or else it was going to be destroyed. After Michelangelo's death, Daniele Da Volterra and other nameless artists were hired to cover the genitals with drapery and loincloths. This is how <The Last Judgment> we see today was completed.

Is it a masterpiece or intolerable obscenity?

It's unquestionable that <The Last Judgment> is a masterpiece with its distinctive atmosphere with over 300 muscular body figures in all dynamic poses. But why did he have to paint it in nude? Maybe he wanted to criticize the class society and express the equality of humanity, or maybe just wanted to show off his exceptional talent? Well.. religious art should be the book of the illiterate, especially back in those times.

Is it a masterpiece? Or is it a pornography? 😅