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Title details for Michelangelo, God's Architect by William E. Wallace - Available

Michelangelo, God's Architect

The Story of His Final Years and Greatest Masterpiece

by William E. Wallace
Simon Callow
Audiobook (Includes supplementary content)
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
In this audiobook, acclaimed actor Simon Callow narrates the gripping untold story of Michelangelo's final decades—and his transformation into one of the greatest architects of the Italian Renaissance As he entered his seventies, the great Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo despaired that his productive years were past. Anguished by the death of friends and discouraged by the loss of commissions to younger artists, this supreme painter and sculptor began carving his own tomb. It was at this unlikely moment that fate intervened to task Michelangelo with the most ambitious and daunting project of his long creative life. Michelangelo, God's Architect is the first book to tell the full story of Michelangelo's final two decades, when the peerless artist refashioned himself into the master architect of St. Peter's Basilica and other major buildings. When the Pope handed Michelangelo control of the St. Peter's project in 1546, it was a study in architectural mismanagement, plagued by flawed design and faulty engineering. Assessing the situation with his uncompromising eye and razor-sharp intellect, Michelangelo overcame the furious resistance of Church officials to persuade the Pope that it was time to start over. Leading Michelangelo expert William Wallace sheds new light on this least familiar part of Michelangelo's biography, revealing a creative genius who was also a skilled engineer and enterprising businessman. The challenge of building St. Peter's deepened Michelangelo's faith, Wallace shows. Fighting the intrigues of Church politics and his own declining health, Michelangelo became convinced that he was destined to build the largest and most magnificent church ever conceived. And he was determined to live long enough that no other architect could alter his design.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    October 15, 2019

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780691199306
      • File size: 252004 KB
      • Duration: 08:45:00

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Michelangelo's most productive years were his last 20--from age 70 to 89. Simon Callow's magnificent basso profundo voice recounts the many projects this prolific sculptor, artist, and architect designed and executed. Callow's gravelly voice reaches even deeper tones as he reads from the irascible Michelangelo's letters, poems, and journals. From St. Peter's Basilica to statues of Leah and Rachel, from fresco to stone cutting, listeners learn of Michelangelo's boundless energy and creativity. His dealings with Vasari, author of LIVES OF THE ARTISTS, other artists, popes, and the Medici are deftly delivered in a variety of tenor tones, while Catherine de' Medici is a definite contralto. Callow uses sotto voce for explanatory asides and footnotes, each word illuminating the multifaceted accomplishments of this renowned Renaissance artist. NOTE: A PDF with black-and-white photographs of Michelangelo's sculptures and architecture is included. M.B.K. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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