Leo Martínez
Michelangelo's The Last Judgment is a fresco located on the wall behind the Sistine Chapel's altar in Vatican City. It is considered one of the most powerful depictions of the Second Coming of Christ and the final and eternal judgment of all humanity by God, as described in Christian religion. The painting, which took over four years to complete, features over 300 figures and is known for its imaginative and expressive style, as well as its controversial inclusion of pervasive nudity, which led to some figures being covered up in the following centuries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Michelangelo |
| Type | Fresco |
| Location | Wall behind the altar of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City |
| Size | 48x44 feet |
| Figures | Over 300 muscular figures, originally almost all male and angels shown as nudes |
| Theme | Second Coming of Christ, final and eternal judgment by God of all humanity |
| Inspiration | Dante's Divine Comedy, Greek mythology, Bible |
| Style | Dynamic poses, tiers and quadrants, subgroups and meaningful pairings |
| Controversy | Pervasive nudity, "obscene" and "lascivious" figures |
| Censorship | Covered by Daniele da Volterra, nicknamed "Il Braghettone" ("The Trousers Maker") |
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What You'll Learn
The Second Coming of Christ
Michelangelo's "The Last Judgment" is a fresco depicting the Second Coming of Christ and the final and eternal judgment of humanity by God, according to Christian eschatology. Located in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, the painting was commissioned by Pope Clement VII in 1534 and completed under Pope Paul III in 1541. It measures 48 by 44 feet and covers the entire altar wall of the chapel.
The fresco is centred around the dominant figure of Christ, who is depicted in a youthful style, reminiscent of the ancient Greek sculpture Apollo Belvedere. Christ is shown in the moment before the verdict of the Last Judgment is delivered, with a calm and commanding gesture that seems to both demand attention and soothe the surrounding chaos. To Christ's left, the risen recover their bodies as they ascend to heaven, while to the right, angels and devils fight, causing the damned to fall to hell. At the bottom of the painting, Charon, the mythical boatman from Greek and Roman mythology, can be seen ferrying the damned into hell, accompanied by devils.
Michelangelo's imaginative interpretation of the Second Coming of Christ and the Last Judgment is notable for its departure from traditional depictions. The artist was given artistic license by his patron, Pope Paul III, to depict scenes not only from the Bible but also from mythology. The painting includes over 300 figures, with nearly all the males and angels originally shown as nudes. This pervasive nudity caused controversy when the fresco was first revealed, with critics denouncing the inclusion of nude figures in such a sacred place. As a result, Michelangelo's pupil Daniele da Volterra, nicknamed "Il Braghettone" ("The Trousers Maker"), was tasked with covering the nudity with draperies and veils.
"The Last Judgment" is among the most powerful renditions of the Second Coming and Last Judgment in the history of Christian art. Its impact is heightened by its all-encompassing nature, expanding beyond the viewer's field of vision and implicating the viewer in the yet-to-happen event. Michelangelo's mastery of form and composition is evident in the intricate poses and pairings of the figures, contributing to a dynamic and expressive work of art.
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Judgement Day
Michelangelo's "The Last Judgment" is a fresco depicting the Second Coming of Christ and God's final and eternal judgment of all humanity, as outlined in Christian eschatology. The painting, completed between 1536 and 1541, covers the entire altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. With over 300 figures, the artwork is a powerful and imaginative interpretation of Judgment Day, radiating out from the central figure of Christ.
In "The Last Judgment," Michelangelo offers his unique vision of the end times. The painting depicts the dead rising and descending to their fates, as judged by Christ, who is surrounded by prominent saints. The composition is dynamic and all-encompassing, expanding beyond the viewer's field of vision. The figures are arranged in tiers and quadrants, with meaningful pairings that enhance the fresco's legibility. The top half of the fresco typically shows ordered ranks of figures, while the bottom half portrays chaotic and frenzied activity, especially on the right side leading to Hell.
The inclusion of Charon, the mythical boatman from Greek and Roman mythology, is a notable feature of Michelangelo's Judgment Day scene. Charon is depicted ferrying the damned into hell, a reference to his role in Dante's "Inferno." The influence of Dante's "Divine Comedy" is also evident in the depiction of Minos, one of the judges of the underworld, who is shown with ass-ears and wrapped in serpent coils, indicating the circle of hell to which the damned are destined.
Nudity is a prominent feature of "The Last Judgment," with nearly all males and angels originally shown nude. This aspect caused significant controversy, with critics denouncing the nudity as obscene and inappropriate for a sacred space. As a result, Michelangelo's pupil, Daniele da Volterra, was tasked with covering the nude figures with draperies and veils, earning him the nickname "Il Braghettone" ("The Trousers Maker").
Michelangelo's "The Last Judgment" is a remarkable and intense portrayal of Judgment Day. The artwork's expressive power and imaginative interpretation of biblical themes have secured its iconic status in the history of art.
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Nudity and censorship
Michelangelo's fresco "The Last Judgment" caused controversy from the moment it was unveiled due to its pervasive nudity. The painting depicts the Second Coming of Christ and the final judgment by God of all humanity. It includes over 300 figures, with nearly all the males and angels originally shown nude.
Biagio da Cesena, the papal master of ceremonies under Paul III, denounced the painting, saying:
> it was a very disgraceful thing to have made in so honorable a place all those nude figures showing their nakedness so shamelessly, and that it was a work not for the chapel of a Pope.
In response to such criticisms, at the order of the Council of Trent, which forbade "lascivious" art, Michelangelo's pupil Daniele da Volterra was tasked with covering the nude figures with drapery and loincloths. Da Volterra thus became known as "Il Braghettone" ("The Trousers Maker").
Despite this censorship, the painting has not lost its strong expressive power. In fact, after its recent restoration, it still appears as one of the most intense paintings in art history. During the restoration in the 1980s and 1990s, all drapery additions except those by da Volterra were removed.
It is worth noting that the inclusion of nudity in "The Last Judgment" may have served a specific purpose within the context of the artwork. The damned souls are often shown naked, as a mark of their humiliation as devils carry them off, while angels and those in Heaven are fully dressed. Clothing, or the lack thereof, serves as a clue to the identity of groups and individuals in the painting.
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Dante's Divine Comedy
The Last Judgement is a fresco by Michelangelo, painted on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. It depicts the Second Coming of Christ and the final and eternal judgment of all humanity by God. The painting shows the living and the dead being judged by Christ and their souls being sent to heaven or hell. The Last Judgement became controversial as soon as it was seen, with critics accusing Michelangelo of immorality and obscenity due to his depiction of holy persons in the nude, with exposed genitals.
The Inferno, the most popular and well-known book of the trilogy, depicts the depths of Hell and explores the moral and spiritual pitfalls that plague humanity. Dante and Virgil ascend from Hell to the Mountain of Purgatory, which has seven terraces corresponding to the seven deadly sins. The Paradiso is more theological in nature, and Dante presents his personal vision of heaven, acknowledging that it is limited by his human perspective.
The Divine Comedy concludes with Dante's soul becoming aligned with God's love as he finally understands the mystery of Christ's divinity and humanity. The poem is known for its human qualities, including Dante's skillful characterisation, denunciations of Florentine and Italian politics, and powerful poetic imagination.
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Michelangelo's artistic vision
Michelangelo's vision for the painting was to create a work that was all-encompassing and expansive, breaking free from the traditional borders seen in sacred narratives. The composition is carefully organised into tiers and quadrants, with subgroups and meaningful pairings that enhance the legibility of the fresco. The figures in the painting, originally depicted as nudes, radiate out from Christ, with the saints holding the instruments of their martyrdom rather than the actual scenes of torture.
The artist's attention to detail and anatomical precision served an artistic purpose, aiming to entertain and overpower viewers with their effects. The figures assume ornamental attitudes, contributing to the overall aesthetic impact of the work. Michelangelo's use of colour, although obscured over time by dirt and restoration efforts, was initially praised for its beauty and contribution to the narrative.
The Last Judgment reflects Michelangelo's evolving artistic vision, marking a departure from his earlier works in the Sistine Chapel. The painting's subject matter, style, and composition demonstrate the artist's maturity and mastery of the Renaissance style. The inclusion of himself in the fresco, as well as his insertion of Charon and Minos, inspired by Dante's Inferno, adds a personal touch to the work.
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Frequently asked questions
The Last Judgement is a fresco by the Italian Renaissance painter Michelangelo covering the whole altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.
The Last Judgement depicts the Second Coming of Christ and the final and eternal judgement by God of all humanity. The dead rise and descend to their fates, as judged by Christ who is surrounded by prominent saints.
The Last Judgement is among the most powerful renditions of this moment in the history of Christian art. Over 300 muscular figures, in an infinite variety of dynamic poses, fill the wall to its edges. Unlike other sacred narratives, which portray events of the past, this one implicates the viewer.
The Last Judgement was controversial in its own time due to concerns regarding the pervasive nudity of the figures. The painting was denounced by Biagio da Cesena, the papal master of ceremonies under Pope Paul III, who found it disgraceful and inappropriate for the chapel of a Pope. As a result, at the order of the Council of Trent, Michelangelo's pupil Daniele da Volterra was tasked with covering the nudity with draperies and veils.
