[.ca] Michelangelo and The Pope's Ceiling (ISBN 1844139328)

Tremendously focused and comprehensive history:
Appreciators of art, particularly the classics, will have a field day with Ross King's Michelangelo & The Pope's Ceiling, not just because it gives a blow-by-blow account of how one man, figuratively if not literally, could achieve a creation of such power, grace, and style that it still remains today one of the most famous works of art in the world. Add to that a complex history of the papacy and European monarchies and you've got a wonderful narrative, supplemented by accurate technical information on exactly how the whole thing was brought about. If you've seen the film The Agony and the Ecstacy, you've only gotten a fraction of the story behind the Sistine Chapel ceiling and indeed, the perceptions of one man painting while on his back that have lingered are in large part due to tales like it. However, as King is quick to point out, while Michelangelo's genius was the driving force there were other artists involved who get the short shrift of history. The book also gives generous space to Raphael, the rival and artist working elsewhere in the Vatican at the time and, naturally, to the amazing character of Julius II, a pope who clearly did not conform to tradition. Elements of both the Sistine ceiling and Raphael's work are given thoughtful attention and analysis. The detailed descriptions of the methods and techniques employed by the artists were interesting, but in some instances went on for too long and took something away from the narrative flow that had been established. Even so, it was very educational and entertaining.

The best way to meet Michelangelo:
King exhibits a masters touch in his descriptive writing, panache and almost daily record of the artists life. The reader is taken into the work area of the master and provided a firsthand knowledge of how the conditions of this era played upon the capability of producing artistic results. The descriptions of the personalities of King's characters reflect the detailed research this author has done with much discipline to properly set the atmosphere for the reader. The description of the diferences between Michelangel's and Raphael's use of assistants and teaching is a typical, interesting side story. " He ( Michaelangelo) was interested in instilling his art in only "noble people"....and not in plebeins" King also is not intimidated by other authors writing on this era. In fact, it is refreshing to see his references to Condivi,George Bull, and Lehmann in much of his storytelling. Truly a "keeper" for the grndkids to read as an into to Michaelangelo Buonarroti

Wonderful story.:
A well written account of Michelangelo's life,personality and various works. It also gives a flavour of the history and times he lived in as well as including relevant photographs that are beautiful. It includes so much detail that really added to my enjoyment of the book.

Good... but somehow not so good:
I know I'm a lone voice on this, but I felt the same way about Brunelleschi's Dome. This book really should have been fascinating: it is so chock full of very interesting information about a range of very interesting subjects... from the art itself to Michelangelo's whiny family to the crazy Pope who wants to be a soldier. Between the fights, battles, and plagues it should have been an action-packed adventure through the streets of 15th century Rome. Somehow, though, the author's writing style is so dry that it has taken me months to get through this book, when it should have only taken a few days. I kept wanting to get back to it, but when I picked it up I would get so bored that I would quickly put it down again. I don't want to not recomend this book... it is well researched and about some very fascinating subjects. Other people might not mind the dry writing style. But you might want to read a chapter before you buy it to see if you take to it.

Good, overall - more on the topic would have been better.:
I'm not a fan of historical books but the topic of arts intertwigled with the Papacy was too good for me to resist. The book is a very well written, real non-fiction page-turner, which does not have the typical hundred names and hundreds places and dates of the typical historical book. It has plenty of interesting facts about the time of Michelangelo's fresco paintings, and places the topic well in the time and place context of such an age. However, there is a relatively small proportion of the book that is specifically focused on the topic of the title. Rather, the author sidetracks time and time again on events that occur at the time when the Sistine Chapel ceiling was being painted. Although not related, the topics described are quite interesting and the overall narration flows quite well. This is definetly not a biography on Michelangelo, neither is it a compendium on fresco painting. It is a very good historical book, which could have been complemented with plenty of more insights into the subject matter rather than delving on tangents.