Michelangelo: The Vatican Frescoes

by Pierluigi de Vecchi, Gianluigi Colalucci

The restoration of Michelangelo's magnificent frescoes in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel is perhaps the most controversial event in the art world in the past three decades. Now, after nearly fifteen years of effort, the restoration is finally complete. This unique volume-the first to document the project-is the result of an unparalleled international photographic campaign. For the first time, the restored Chapel is shown in its entirety, from the Creation to the Last Judgment. Glorious, full-color photographs-250 in all-portray the frescoes both before and after their restoration, providing an unforgettable view of the meticulous work that many believe restored the frescoes to their original High Renaissance splendor.
Originally created in the late 1400s, the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel are the best-known of all the Vatican masterpieces. As early as 1502, however, tourists began noting the damage wrought by smoke and crumbling walls. By 1980 the need for conservation appeared to be dire. The restoration team had to contend with centuries of decay-structural fractures in the walls and ceilings, soot and dust accumulation, and rainwater seepage that left white patches on every surface. Artisans in previous centuries had made attempts at conservation, but often did more harm than good; the frescoes were found to be coated with many layers of "protective" glue that had yellowed and darkened with age.
Though many art historians opposed the restoration, believing that Michelangelo was a somber artist who worked in dark and muted colors, the endeavor presents frescoes that are gloriously vivid, setting the chapel aglow with their brilliance. In addition, they provide new insights about Michelangelo's brushstroke techniques, and add more information to a centuries-old debate over how he worked with the wet plaster surface of the frescoes.
Written with Gianluigi Colalucci, the technical overseer of the restoration, the text provides an intimate understanding of this masterpiece of Renaissance art. It explains the various forensic studies carried out in the course of the project, the pragmatic concerns of the restoration, and the many problems of historical approach that were confronted. This volume, including remarkable new pictures of the Chapel frescoes, belongs in the libraries of every art historian and student of the Italian Renaissance.

Genres: Art, Renaissance, Nonfiction

271 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Mesoscope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before making a purchase, I carefully compared several books on the Sistine Chapel, because what's the point of buying a book on the Chapel that doesn't do justice to the splendor of that magnificent place? I quickly learned that there is no point in buying a pre-restoration book, because the candle smoke and incense of centuries had buried Michelangelo's vibrant colors under a film of dingy gray. There are those who believe that the restoration team went too far and left the colors brighter than Michelangelo would have intended, but I would refer such skeptics to the Master's "Doni Tondo" in the Uffizi Gallery, which should settle that question, I think.

So, what more would I want from a post-restoration book? Excellent, bright, clear photos of the paintings, clearly organized so that one can refer back and forth between the overall scheme of the Chapel and the individual frames, and a worthwhile explanatory text is an added bonus. But really, it's the photos that matter.

This book blew me away - it is everything I was looking for and more. In addition to a lavish and complete look at the frescoes as a whole and individually, it includes very interesting comparison photos of the pre-restoration condition, and an appendix on what they did and why. This book is the Sistine Chapel of Sistine Chapel books.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel in their restored condition - many times giving a before and after view. Although the effect of walking through the Sistine Chapel and looking on Michelangelo's masterpiece is unforgettable and very different from a two dimensional view, this book allowed me to linger on specific portions that I never was able to do as a rushed tourist. This book is a joy and can be appreciated as art, the history of restoration techniques, history in general, a study of Michelangelo, a meditation on Christ and Christianity.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures in this book are fabulous! And the story of the restoration is fascinating reading. I'm not sure it contains much historical or biographical info about the artist that is not approved by the Catholic Church but the pictures are definitely worth the price of the book.