Title: Michelangelo's Medici Chapel : a new interpretation /
Authors: Balas, Edith.; Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1475-1564.
Publisher: American Philosophical Society,
Year: 1995
Subjects: Michelangelo Buonarroti, Criticism and interpretation.; Medici, House of Tombs.; San Lorenzo (Church : Florence, Italy).; Sculpture, Italian Italy Florence.; Mannerism (Art) Italy Florence.
Abstract: There are no surviving documents that explain Michelangelo's complex sculptural program for the Medici Chapel. The work as we have it is no more than an unfinished, fragmentary realization of the artist's original conception. Speculation about its meaning began quite early, for Michelangelo's contemporaries were apparently no better informed than we. An interpretation made by Benedetto Varchi in 1549 and since universally accepted, was by his own admission a personal opinion, not confirmed by the artist. In the sixteenth century, interpretations quite at variance with modern scholarly assumptions were made: for example, a German visitor of 1536 identified the figures now commonly called "Night" and "Day" as "Minerva" and "Hermes."
Contents: I. Prevalent Modern Interpretations of the Medici Chapel -- II. Michelangelo and Neoplatonism -- III. Mystic Symbolism, Magic and Astrology in Renaissance Neoplatonism. 1. Mystic Symbolism. 2. Magic. 3. Astrology -- IV. Jupiter and Saturn. 1. Giuliano -- Jupiter. 2. Lorenzo -- Saturn -- V. Night and Dawn. 1. Cielo and Terra. 2. Role of Earth Goddess as Mother and Virgin -- VI. Day and Evening -- VII. The River Gods -- VIII. The Decorative Elements of the Chapel -- IX. Other Medici Programs with Neoplatonic Iconographical Content. 1. The Carnival Parade. 2. Entrance of Leo. 3. Poggio a Caiano. 4. Sala dei Pontefici -- X. A Mausoleum for the Four Medicis -- XI. The Iconography of the Medici Chapel as an Expression of Neoplatonic Philosophy -- Appendix: Further Reflections on the Casa Buonarroti Inscription.