Michelangelo The Genesis of the Sistine

celebratory exhibition catalogue on the 550th anniversary of the birth of Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564)
Williamsburg, Muscarelle Museum of Art, 6 March-28 May 2025

Adriano Marinazzo
with essays by Cristina Acidini, Alessandro Cecchi, Laura Donati, Fabrizio Biferali

For the 550th anniversary of the birth of Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) the Muscarelle Museum (Williamsburg, Virginia) is hosting the exhibition Michelangelo: The Genesis of the Sistine.

The exhibition is an extraordinary account of the master’s preparatory drawings for the Sistine Chapel frescoes, never before exhibited in America.

Before his death, Michelangelo destroyed many of his sketches, including numerous studies for the Sistine Chapel. Those that have been saved remain significant and iconic, providing a window into his creative process, highlighting his initial plans and his extraordinary vision for the frescoes of the Sistine ceiling.

They range from what may be considered the first schematic study for the Sistine ceiling, to the numerous sketches of faces, limbs, and whole figures depicted in various positions, appearing as preparation for the figures later frescoed.

Thanks to rigorous scholarly research, this catalogue provides new insights into Michelangelo’s legacy, giving the reader an enriching and compelling experience.