First Architectural Works - Michelangelo Buonarroti

Michelangelo (1475-1564) carried out his first architectural work in his hometown of Florence by order of the Papacy. In 1513 Giovanni' de Medici "Pope Leo X" was elected Pope by name. Together with his niece Giulio, (he will later become the "Klemens VII" as Pope.), he was making big plans for the Basilica of San Lorenzo, a complete building complex with the monastery, library, and chapel of the Medicis in Florence. The first project was the task of building a facade in the church. After this plan was canceled, the Medicis worked on the tomb chapel and library (Biblioteca Laurenziana) in the church complex.

Facade Arrangement;

San Lorenzo Basilica exterior view

The first architectural work that Pope Leo X gave to Michelangelo was a huge project. San Lorenzo's simple facade was planned to be decorated. Twelve marble statues larger than height human, golden bronze figures, and seven large reliefs were planned for the facade.

San Lorenzo's facade project

Michelangelo had spent three years in the stone quarries to find marble of appropriate size and characteristics. In 1520, he submitted his first draft. He prepared various drafts of sketches for San Lorenzo's facade. He built a model of clay that didn't reach until this time. Then he made a wooden model suitable for his plans.

Wooden model of San Lorenzo's facade

On the model, there were no statues and reliefs that would decorate the front of the building. Michelangelo, who wanted to completely change the gradual formation of the basilica with a rectangular dressing, had revolutionary features. But the project would never happen. The Pope had announced that it would ultimately give up the project.

Medici Chapel;

Inside view of the Medici Chapel

The Pope of the Medici Leo X and Klemens VII.commissioned Michelangelo to build a family cemetery at the churches in Florence, "San Lorenzo". New Cemetery construction was planned for the other members of the Medici family. Michelangelo planned tombs adjacent to the walls on the three sides of the chapel. Michelangelo placed the tomb of "Giuliano de' Medici" and "Lorenzo de' Medici" symmetrically on two opposite walls.

View from the tomb monument of Giuliano de' Medici

Giuliano de' Medici sits on a niche, dressed in ancient armor and framed by two pairs of columns. In the curved areas above the sarcophagus, there are female figures of the night and two statues of the male figure of the day. These two statues lie in curved areas above the sarcophagus.

View from the tomb monument of Lorenzo de' in Medici

Lorenzo de' Medici sits thoughtfully in a niche, dressed in ancient armor and framed by two pairs of columns. In the curved areas above the sarcophagus, there are female figures of the Dawn and two statues of the male figure of the Twilight. These two statues lie in curved areas above the sarcophagus.

Madonna with Child (Medici Madonna)

Michelangelo built only two tombs facing the third wall of the "Madonna with Child" statue with figures carved into the two side walls of the chapel. Like many of Michelangelo's works, the New Cemetery has also remained incompletion.

Biblioteca Laurenziana;

View from the stairs of the library in San Lorenzo Basilica

Another study in 1524, pope Klemens's VII order was the Biblioteca Laurenziana project in the Basilica of San Lorenzo. The Medici decided to build a private library to present valuable manuscript collections for the benefit of the public. In his entrance, Michelangelo drew attention to the stairs of his library with a mannerist style.

A sidewall from the entrance of Biblioteca Laurenziana

The planned for the façade architecture carried the windows niches and decorative elements into the interior. But Michelangelo Pope After VII the death of Klemens, he left Florence and moved to Rome. The staircase in the entrance hall of the library was completed by architect Bartolomeo Ammannati, in accordance with Michelangelo's design.

Michelangelo: Latest Architectural Works

Bibliography;

Grömling, A., (2005). Michelangelo, Literatür Yayıncılık, İstanbul.

Erdoğan, C.E., (2015). Sanatın Büyük Ustaları Michelangelo, Birinci Baskı, Hayalperest Yayınevi, İstanbul.

Spence, D., (2012). Büyük Ressamlar Michelangelo, İkinci Basım, Koleksiyon Yayıncılık, İstanbul.

Vasari, G., (2013). Sanatçıların Hayat Hikayeleri, Birinci Baskı, Sel Yayıncılık, İstanbul.