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It’s rather ironic to discuss the impact of a painter’s work who didn’t even like to paint. However, nothing changes the fact that Michelangelo's paintings are some of the greatest pieces of visual art ever created. His works are reflections of his knowledge of human anatomy and depict an unparalleled emotional intensity. While he initially gained popularity with his sculptures, the legacy of Michelangelo cannot be questioned when it comes to his paintings or literary works.
His works have been captivating art lovers for centuries and today we will discuss some of his best paintings that every Michelangelo fan should know about.
1. The Creation of Adam
Created on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, the Creation of Adam is one of the most renowned paintings by Michelangelo. In the painting, you can see God extending his arm and index finger towards Adam, giving him the gift of life. This iconic portrayal of how mankind came into existence is perhaps one of the most talked about works in the interiors of the chapel. It is not only the most famous painting in the Sistine Chapel, but also a seminal work for modern art. Of all the panels he painted, this one was probably the hardest for the artist and took him almost 16 days to finish.
The work is perhaps inspired by the phrase “God created man in his own image.” If you look closely, you will realize the figures look similar and yet different, creating the distinction between the creator and his creation. They both have strong muscular bodies, and Adam’s is bent in a concave posture whereas God’s is convex, thus complementing their forms. However, while the creator’s finger that touches Adam’s finger looks authoritative, Adam’s on the other hand appears weak and waiting to receive life from the creator.
2. Doni Tondo
Simply given the fact that it is the only completed surviving panel painting of Michelangelo, it deserves to be on this list. However, that is not the only reason why this artwork is so important. It was created between 1505 and 1507, just a couple of years down the line after Michelangelo’s sculptures La Pieta and David soared to success. This painting was commissioned by Agnolo Doni, a wealthy Florentine resident. He wanted to commemorate the birth of his son and his marriage with Maddalena, the daughter of a noble Tuscan family.
The composition of the painting symbolizes the Holy Family with its pyramidal structure. However, it is an unusual depiction of the Virgin Mary, Child Jesus, and St. Joseph, from what was usually created at that time. Mary is sitting on the ground, between St. Joseph’s leg, and it's not quite clear if she is receiving the child from him otherwise. The painting has a similar style to what you can also see in the Sistine Chapel paintings of Michelangelo, with overly muscular bodies, even of the child. Now in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery, the frame of this famous Michelangelo painting is still intact and was created based on the designs by Michelangelo himself.
3. The Last Judgment
Another painting by Michelangelo, The Last Judgment adorns the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. The Last Judgment is a seminal piece of work in Western art that is considered a bridge for the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque era. This 13.7 x 12-meter tall fresco depicts the Second Coming of Christ and the final judgment that God passed for all humanity. On the bottom left side of the fresco, you can see the dead rising from their graves and ascending to heaven whereas, on the left, the damned are being dragged down to hell. There is an underlying chaos in the painting and even heaven appears to be disorderly, a stark contrast from the usual depiction. Most of the figures are musculature and Christ looks like a stern judge, ready to deliver what the dead deserve.
It consists of more than 300 figures and most of the males and angels, including Christ were originally painted nude. While the fresco is now considered a masterpiece of Michelangelo, many considered it to be a controversial artwork, highly inappropriate for a Pope’s chapel. It took the artist almost five years to complete the entire painting and once he passed away, the nude figures were covered by one of his pupils. It is also assumed that Michelangelo added a hidden self-portrait to the painting as flayed skin held by Saint Bartholomew. Based on his literary works, he was forced to work on the painting, and the fresco took away his soul, leaving him lifeless, just like he looks in the painting.
4. The Crucifixion of St. Peter
Another famous Michelangelo painting, the Crucifixion of Saint Peter is his last fresco and is a part of Pauline Chapel in Vatican Palace. The Chapel can only be accessed by the Pope of the Vatican and some select cardinals, therefore the painting cannot be viewed by the public. It has been painted in the exact location where cardinals elect the next Pope. Besides its size, what makes this painting truly stand out is the craned upper body of Saint Peter and his twisted neck, which makes him look directly into the eyes of the viewer. The look conveys various thoughts as if he wants them to witness the exact moment when he paid the price of his discipleship to Christ and is asking them if they are willing to do the same.
When the painting was restored in 2008, one of the onlookers in this famous Michelangelo painting was believed to be the artist himself. You can locate him at the left side of the painting in a blue turban, commonly worn by sculptors to prevent dust from getting in their hair.
The Brilliance of Michelangelo Paintings
Michelangelo’s legacy has survived and continues to build even almost after five centuries of his existence. Probably the first celebrity in the history of art, his works have inspired generations of artists due to his immaculate skills and artistic vision. Even though some of his works have also created controversy, his paintings are now some of the major contributions to the development of art and have been studied all over the world for a better understanding of his mind. Even in death, he would still be one of the greatest living artists the world has witnessed and shall continue to motivate the generations of artists to come.
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