Ghirlandaio recommended him to paint at the palace of the Florentine ruler. From 1489 to 1492 Michelangelo was in the presence of the elites in society. He studied under Giovanni, one of the most respected sculptures of that time. He learned from poets, scholars, and humanists. The Catholic Church even gave him permission to study cadavers. These experiences at such a young age influenced Michelangelo’s style: “a muscular precision and reality combined with and almost lyrical beauty” (Biography.com Editors).
From 1534 to 1541 Michelangelo painted the Last Judgement. The painting was a mixture of male and female nude bodies. Every figure is centered on Christ and appears to be in motion or tensed up like they are about to move. The composition was split into two tiers. In the celestial zone Christ is flanked by angels, saints, martyrs, patriarchs, and the apostles. The terrestrial zone below shows the resurrection of the dead to the left and the descending of the damned to hell on the right. “The elect show the emotion joy while the Damned show torment”(Last judgement …show more content…
It’s well documented that Michelangelo faced opposition surrounding his artistic interpretation of the scene and the many nudes, which were all completely nude at the time with the loincloths painted years later. One of Michelangelo’s most vocal enemies was the Pope’s master of ceremonies Biagio da Cesena, who was constantly on Michelangelo about the nudes. Michelangelo responded by painting his likeness as that of Minos, with large donkey’s ears and a snake wrapped around and biting him in a precarious spot. Better yet, it is right above the side door, the most visible spot from ground level. Cesena complained directly to the Pope, who supposedly joked that he had no power over Hell so it would have to