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Study of a man's face for the Flood in the
Sistine ceiling, 1509–10, Michelangelo Buonarroti |
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Michelangelo Public and Private: Drawings
for the Sistine Chapel and Other Treasures from the Casa
Buonarroti
October 15, 2009–January 31, 2010
SAM Simonyi Special Exhibition Galleries |
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This exhibition brings one of art history's greatest figures to
Seattle for the first time. Drawn exclusively from the collection of the
Casa Buonarroti in Florence, the show explores Michelangelo's complex
personality and different aspects of his life and career. Centered
around twelve original drawings by Michelangelo, the exhibition also
features portraits of the artist, personal documents, and decorative
arts from the Casa Buonarroti.
The primary focus of the exhibition is Michelangelo's preliminary
work for the Sistine Chapel in Rome, including a selection of working
drawings for the Sistine Ceiling and the Last Judgment. Together,
these objects give modern viewers insight into the artist's working
process, from sketches to finished studies. This exposure would have
appalled Michelangelo, who burned many of his drawings hoping to sustain
the idea that divine inspiration, not human labor, was responsible for
his celebrated masterpieces.
The Casa Buonarroti was founded in 1612 by Michelangelo's
great-nephew as a monument to his famous relative, on the site of the
artist's former home. Housing original works of art, including the
largest collection of Michelangelo's drawings in the world, it now acts
as the protector of the artist's legacy.
–Chiyo Ishikawa, Susan Brotman Deputy Director for Art and Curator of
European Painting & Sculpture
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Interested in learning more about Michelangelo? Take the
free cell phone audio tour, featuring Dr. Gary
Radke, curatorial advisor for the exhibition and Dean's
Professor of the Humanities at Syracuse University. Also
available as a podcast or download.
Learn more!
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Educational Resources
To explore this exhibition a little deeper, attend some of the
related programs and events for kids, teens and adults or download
our
bibliography.
Study of a man's face for the Flood in the Sistine
ceiling, 1509–10, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Italian, 1475–1564, red
chalk, 125 x 142 mm, Courtesy Fondazione Casa Buonarroti
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Seattle
Art Museum
