Back in 1534, Michelangelo Buonarroti was a master in his fields of sculpture, painting and architecture after a illustrious and varied career. He was also a talented amateur poet. Because – well – why not? At almost 60 years old, he returned to Rome, having been commissioned to paint the Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel, probably expecting it to be one of his final works. Little did he know that the following 30 years would, in fact, be the busiest of his life.
Landing at the British Museum in May; Michelangelo: the last decades will explore those final three decades of his life – an unexpectedly active period in which successive popes drew on his expertise to commission a series of increasingly demanding artworks.
Inside the landmark exhibition
Where previous exhibitions have focused on Michelangelo’s earlier work (such as David or the Sistine Chapel); this exhibition will shine a light on some of the lesser-known work of the Renaissance master. Michelangelo: the last decades will paint a clearer picture of the latter part of his life, whilst showcasing how his faith strengthened as he aged.
The colossal, over two-metre-high, Epifania will be on show for the first time since its conservation started back in 2018. It is Michelangelo’s only complete surviving preparatory drawing and is one of the largest Renaissance works on paper. Various other work from the British Museum‘s impressive collection of drawings will also be displayed for the first time in almost 20 years.
The fascinating exhibition will also showcase a diverse array of his poems, letters, and artistic designs; looking beyond the artist to reveal his personality. Visitors can expect to see private letters to family members, poems and drawings directed to his aristocratic friends, and work demonstrating the evolution of his faith.
Sarah Vowles, Curator of Italian & French Prints & Drawings comments: “When Michelangelo moved to Rome in 1534, he was almost sixty years old. This exhibition follows him through the next three decades, until his death at the age of almost 89, exploring the variety of works he produced – from the Last Judgment to the dome of St Peter’s – and the ways in which he evolved his working practice in later life. It also introduces visitors to Michelangelo as a man, bound in a rich network of friendships, and brings his own voice to the fore – articulate, impassioned, often prickly, but never anything less than compelling.”
Michelangelo: the last decades will run from May 2 – July 28, 2024 in the Joseph Hotung Great Court Gallery at the British Museum. Find out more and plan your visit here.
📍 The British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG.
