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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
The premise of the book sounded interesting - it involves what should be fascinating characters and situations...but somehow it didn't pull me in. I kept putting off finishing it because it felt like homework - too many names and dates, not enough interesting stories. And I like history! So I would really find it hard to recommend this to anyone other than the most fanatic Sistine Chapel enthusiast - there are too many books out there that make history and art interesting and accessible to spend time with this one.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I read King’s book in preperation of a trip to Rome with my daughter. I knew we would visit the Sistine Chapel and I wanted additional context when viewing Michaelangelo’s work. This was an excellent introduction to both the man and his work. I highly recommend reading it before a trip to Rome. It gave me so much insight into the frescoes.
informative
slow-paced
This was read in conjunction with an actual trip to the Cistine Chapel. That made the book a lot better. I like Ross King's writing style and content.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Well researched and thorough. Very interesting. While predominantly about Michelangelo and painting the Sistine Chapel, King touches on religious themes, political activities of Rome and Italy during the Renaissance, personal history of Michelangelo and general history of Renaissance Europe, as well as art history. Very detailed. If you are looking for a quick narrative, this is not the right book for you. If you want to understand how the Sistine Chapel became what we see and admire today, this is an excellent read.
Medieval Popes were unstable megalomaniacs and Michelangelo didn't have a clue what he was doing when he started the frescoes on the Sistine Chapel. He, essentially, learned on the job. Also was a whiny hot-head which was new information to me.
informative
medium-paced
I wish there wasn't quite so much military history in my art history, but then, probably some people alive at the time felt the same way. Stupid war interfering with the artmaking
Chapters about the fresco are fascinating. I hope I get to see it in person one day.
Chapters about the fresco are fascinating. I hope I get to see it in person one day.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Torture
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
Fascinating dissertation on the four years it took Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Not only about the painting, the painter and the pope, it also discusses Julius’ disastrous military campaigns in the north of the peninsula, the rivalry between Michelangelo and Raphael (who was painting frescos in the Pope’s apartments beginning about a year after the ceiling work began in the chapel), the destruction and planned rebuilding of St. Peter’s by Bramante, and Michelangelo’s dysfunctional, mostly male, family. Really good. It was especially nice listening to it because of all the lovely Italian names that just rolled off Lee's tongue. The word "Rusticucci" I loved especially.
The only downside was not being able to look at the pictures as I was listening because I was driving at the time. However, now having seen a copy of the book itself, I still would have wanted a full volume on the ceiling at hand. There are relatively few illustrations, although those included are very interesting in themselves. The map of Italy is helpful, too.
The only downside was not being able to look at the pictures as I was listening because I was driving at the time. However, now having seen a copy of the book itself, I still would have wanted a full volume on the ceiling at hand. There are relatively few illustrations, although those included are very interesting in themselves. The map of Italy is helpful, too.