The Two Michelangelos of Italian Art: Buonarroti and Caravaggio

Renaissance master Michelangelo Buonarroti was so revered they called him "Il Divino." Decades later, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio arrived, ready to become a legend and set the stage for the Baroque. This course contemplates these two giants side-by-side, highlighting their tremendous influence. We will explore how Caravaggio's male figures bear strong resemblances to his predecessor's, whom he studied closely in Rome. This comparative study illuminates the similarities in their larger-than-life personalities, including their rebellious nature, fiery tempers, and rumored homosexuality. We'll also discover how both artists shared a conflicted relationship with the Catholic Church and a network of powerful patrons, including the Colonna family. Drawing on early biographers like Vasari and Baglione, we will compare the lives and works of these kindred spirits. The course is enhanced by two class visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see their works up close alongside other Renaissance and Baroque masters.
Continuing Education Units (CEU) : 0

You'll walk away with

• Analyze and compare the artistic styles, techniques, and innovations of Michelangelo and Caravaggio
• Explore the personal lives, temperaments, and relationships with patrons and the Catholic Church that shaped their work
• Evaluate the influence of Renaissance and Baroque art on subsequent generations through close study of masterpieces and historical accounts

Ideal for

• Art enthusiasts
• Aspiring and working arts professionals