Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant finish for a memorable trilogy,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Nicodemus: The Roman Years of Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1534-1564 (Hardcover)
I first read "Michelangelo The Florentine" and "The Hand Of Michelangelo" about 42 years ago, when I was a student of the author, Sidney Alexander. This book deals with Michelangelo's final years. While it's more interesting to follow the artist's career from teenager through middle age (the first two books) this book concentrates on his character as he faces illness, lionization, loss of "artistic control" over several projects, and loss of friends and family. To those who think Michelangelo was a moody, lonely genius, this book gives a welcome rebuttal in the person of his many passionate and loyal friends.All three books authentically describe sketching, stone-cutting, sculpture, bronze casting, fresco prep and painting, and architectural design, how it feels when you've "nailed" a piece and (this book especially) when you haven't. Alexander writes in a simple, natural way, with none of the "period" language that disfigures lesser historical novels. I was sad to lose the fictional character of Andrea del Medigo, Michelangelo's Jewish friend, in this last book (although his grandson appears briefly). Through Andrea and his family is told a second story, that of what life was like for the Jews of Renaissance Italy--alternating periods of humanism and assimilation (Andrea even tried to become an artist) with brutal suppression and, occasionally, murder. But there are other friends, like the young, brash Giorgio Vasari, who goes on a pilgrimage with Michelangelo. And--as with the other two novels--it's a sheer pleasure to "hear" Michelangelo think as he works on each project. Definitely a keeper!
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
