Moses by Michelangelo (Rome, Italy — 1515)
Moses by Michelangelo (Rome, Italy — 1515) — an illustrated arts story, set in Italy. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Arts.
Page 1
In the heart of Rome, 1515, Michelangelo Buonarroti stands before his Moses, a sculpture of breathtaking power. Carved from marble, the statue soars to over eight feet, a testament to the Renaissance ideal of human grandeur. Commissioned for the tomb of Pope Julius II, this Moses, with his commanding presence and mythical horns, remains a symbol of divine authority and artistic genius. It is said that Michelangelo, upon completing the statue, struck the knee, exclaiming, 'Why dost thou not speak?'
"Michelangelo mutters to himself, 'This stone... it has taken years of my life. But it breathes now, doesn't it?'"
Art Fact: The 'horns' on Moses' head are a result of a mistranslation of the Hebrew Bible, which described rays of light emanating from Moses' head after encountering God.
Page 2
Years before, in the quarries of Carrara, Michelangelo first laid eyes on the marble that would become Moses. The air was thick with dust, the sound of chisels echoing off the mountains. He sought the purest block, a giant of stone untouched by flaws. Here, Michelangelo was reminded of Leonardo DaVinci saying, 'Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer.'
"Michelangelo, his voice hoarse, asks a quarry worker, "Is this block flawless? Can it hold the vision I see within?""
Art Fact: Carrara marble, known for its purity and fine grain, has been prized by sculptors since ancient Roman times.
Page 3
Back in Rome, the grand commission from Pope Julius II fuels Michelangelo's ambition. The Pope envisions a tomb of unparalleled splendor, a lasting monument to his pontificate. Michelangelo, driven by this vision, throws himself into the design, sketches covering every surface of his workshop. The scale of the project is immense, the pressure relentless. He recalls the words of Dante: 'The secret of getting things done is to act!'
"Pope Julius II booms, 'Michelangelo, this tomb must be the grandest the world has ever seen! It must reflect the power of the Church! Show it, make it alive!'"
Art Fact: Pope Julius II, known as the 'Warrior Pope', was a powerful and influential figure who commissioned many great works of art.
Page 4
Back in his studio, Michelangelo approaches the marble block with trepidation and excitement. He circles it, studying its grain, its shape, searching for the figure within. With a deep breath, he raises his chisel and strikes the first blow. The sound echoes through the workshop, a birth cry of a new creation. "The sculptor's hand finds the form that wants to emerge," Michelangelo murmurs, quoting a line from Plato's 'Phaedrus'.
"Michelangelo says, "It's here, hidden within this stone. The form I must reveal, the story I must tell!""
Art Fact: Michelangelo believed that the sculptor's role was to 'liberate' the figure already present within the stone.
Page 5
Days turn into weeks, weeks into months. Michelangelo labors tirelessly, his hands raw and blistered. He wrestles with the details: the flowing beard, the intricate folds of the robes, the muscles that ripple beneath the skin. Each stroke of the chisel demands precision, patience, and unwavering focus. 'Genius is eternal patience,' he repeats, quoting Buffon, driving himself onward.
"Michelangelo sighs, "These details, these infinite details! Will I ever be finished?" His helper says, "It will all be worth it, it will be magnificent!""
Art Fact: Michelangelo was renowned for his anatomical accuracy and his ability to convey emotion through the smallest details.
Page 6
Years pass, and Pope Julius II's attention shifts to other projects, including the rebuilding of St. Peter's Basilica. The tomb commission is sidelined, funds diverted. Michelangelo, heartbroken and frustrated, sees his grand vision slipping away. Yet, he continues to work on the Moses, driven by his own artistic integrity. As Shakespeare said, years after it was all said and done, "Though she be but little, she is fierce." He still pushes forward.
"Michelangelo exclaims, "The Pope promised! The tomb was to be his legacy! Why must the Basilica come before the tomb, why, why!?""
Art Fact: The tomb of Pope Julius II was never completed as originally planned, becoming a much smaller project.
Page 7
As Michelangelo nears completion, the symbolic significance of the Moses figure becomes clear. The horns, a result of a mistranslation, become a powerful symbol of Moses' divine connection, his authority as a lawgiver. Michelangelo embraces this interpretation, imbuing the statue with an almost supernatural presence. In doing so, he thinks of words by his friend and admirer, Vittoria Colonna, a great renaissance intellectual: "To be truly great is to be one with your truth."
"Michelangelo thinks aloud, "The horns... they were a mistake in the translation, yet they give Moses a power, a god-like presence, that a mere man could never possess!""
Art Fact: The horns on Moses' head became a common artistic convention, despite their inaccurate origin.
Page 8
Michelangelo captures Moses at the moment he descends from Mount Sinai, holding the tablets of the law, only to discover his people worshipping a golden calf. His face is a mask of fury, his muscles tense, his grip tight. The statue embodies both divine authority and human rage. 'I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free,' Michelangelo recalled, quoting his contemporary, Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli.
"Michelangelo says to himself, "The wrath, it must show the fury a God could evoke. Only by portraying that level of rage will the statue connect!""
Art Fact: Moses' pose and expression convey a sense of barely restrained power, suggesting the imminent consequences of his people's transgression.
Page 9
Legend has it that upon completing the Moses, Michelangelo was so convinced of its lifelike quality that he struck the knee with his hammer, exclaiming, 'Why dost thou not speak?' The statue is a testament to Michelangelo's mastery, his ability to imbue stone with emotion, power, and enduring beauty. As Petrarch said, years earlier, "A beautiful thing is never perfect."
"Michelangelo shouts, striking the statue, "Speak! Why dost thou not speak?!""
Art Fact: The story of Michelangelo striking the Moses statue is likely apocryphal, but it speaks to the artist's profound connection with his creation.
Page 10
Today, Michelangelo's Moses stands in the Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome, a beacon of artistic achievement and religious significance. The statue continues to inspire awe and wonder, its power undiminished by time. It is a lasting testament to the genius of Michelangelo, a man who could transform stone into something eternal. He, his likeness, are forever etched beside the work he created, and, as the artist Hokusai put it, 'All I have done with my hundred several years is but foolishness.' But what he did create will live on forever.
"A visitor whispers, "It's... breathtaking. The power, the detail... it's as if Moses himself is standing before us.""
Art Fact: Michelangelo's Moses is considered one of the greatest sculptures of the Renaissance, influencing generations of artists.
About this story
- Location: Italy
- Audience: general readers
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