Michelangelo

by Howard Hibbard

In this masterly, Howard Hibbard relates Michelangeloâ s art to his life and to the times in which he lived, relying on the earliest biographies and the latest scholarly research as well as on Michelangeloâ s own letters and poems. What emerges is both a perspective appraisal of his work and a revealing life history of the man who was arguably the greatest artist of all time.

Genres: Art, Biography, Art History, History, Nonfiction, Renaissance, Italy

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Craig Masten · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished Howard Hibbard’s nonfiction “Michelangelo , second edition,” in just a couple of days., not for the best of reasons. The author described his work as a biography for the layman, but the elaborate detailing of Michelangelo’s works, interspersed with biographical information, was for me overwhelming. I admit to considerable skimming over the elaborate describing of the meaning and structure of his major sculptures, painting and architectural accomplishments, further documented with excerpts from the writings about him from his contemporaries as well as his own letters and poems. Too much for a casual reader or even an artist like me, very interested in how he lived and worked. Although I understand it’s one of the seminal books about this great man, it’s not easy reading to ferret out undeniably interesting morsels of information. Plenty of illustrations of each of the artworks discussed, often with closeups, but all in black and white.

[Suhaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best biography on Michelangelo that I've read. The author weaves in material from the artist's own drawings, letters and poems as support for his interpretations. A very organized approach to Michelangelo's massive body of work. But since the source material is Michelangelo's sonnets, and his spunky correspondence with Pope(s!) and other artists, its also entertaining. Very comprehensive.

[Ava Mattis · Rating 4 out of 5]

an excellent composition that simultaneously details michelangelo’s art along with his life. a man whose ideas were exalted but whose later works were bound by the chains of perfectionism. I am inspired by the ferocity with which he approached his work and his necessity for it, sculpting w a fury even a week before his death. imagine finding something that compels you so.

“his judgement was so severe that he was never content with anything he did.” … il non finito

“we know how this small nucleus of energy will expand, and how each pose will reappear, polished by art and weathered by experience, to create a new heroic style of painting. the young Michelangelo could not know that he had released a world of shapes which were to travel with him all his life and prove, after his death, a Pandora’s box of formal disturbance.”

“(David with the sling
and I with the bow — Michelangelo)”
seeing each task you take on as a goliath conquest that you can overcome with skill and dedication

[Holly N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, especially having never read anything about art history. It did a great job of intertwining Michaelangelo’s life and work, with plenty of interpretations into what he chose to create.

[Leila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. It contained a ton of great information about Michelangelo and his art, but it was a bit boring. How could someone take a subject like Michelangelo and make him boring? Eeehhhh....I don't dig Hibbard's writing style.

[Lewis Edwards · Rating 2 out of 5]

It would have been a sufficient introduction for the 1980s (for the revised Penguin edition) however Hibbard's Michelangelo has aged, and not too well.

Hibbard's analysis and overview of Michelangelo's art is acceptable, he does not say anything radical or particularly original but it is well founded. Some of the anecdotes on Michelangelo's life are fun, however it does distract as Hibbard is not very clear as to how it factors in with regards to the artwork he is presently analysing.

One aspect I really took issue with, considering it was the 1980s, the fact that racist terminology from Hibbard (particularly on the Last Judgement fresco) was not removed for the reprint - it does not lessen the original scholarship in terms of purely formal analysis of artworks, but it certainly dates it and shows a political passivity from Hibbard.

Equally on Michelangelo's passionate poetry directed towards male patrons he 'loved', Hibbard is suspiciously ambivalent and disregarding on this issue; but given, this was the 1980s, and should not excuse it. These two factors are why I cannot give it above 2 stars, otherwise it would be 3.

I was recommended this by a lecturer, as "still the best general introduction to Michelangelo". This is simply not the case. It may have been in the 80s or 70s, but studies on Michelangelo have progressed significantly as have popular biographies - incidentally, this book struggles to decide which of these it wants to be.

Nevertheless, it is worth reading. I would not cite it as a definitive work on Michelangelo's art, nor on the Renaissance, but it would be useful for someone looking for more dated scholarship; itself now part of history.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful volume, as only the Folio Society can produce. Fully illustrated in dust cover (not dust jacket).

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars - funfun fun class read about a GAY ICON!!! Love him <3

[Cassandra Glissadevil · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1 stars!
If you're into art, this bonanza biography will thrill you. I came for the painting, but I stayed for the sculpture. Michelangelo made a new set of tools, to chisel out each sculpture.

[Amanda Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very detailed history of this artist's life and work, including issues with the various popes throughout his life. Numerous black and white photos of each work, including some close detail.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the second edition of this book, which I recommend highly. It speaks of Michelangelo's life and art (painting [mostly frescoes], sculpture, poetry, and architecture).

This book quotes extensively from Michelangelo's letters, and includes his poetry in Italian with English translations. I don't read Italian, but found the translations to be less than inspiring. This isn't a result of bad translation; it's impossible to translate a sonnet and remain in the sonnet form...

If you want to learn about Michelangelo, this is your book!!!

[Tori]

Michelangelo (Icon Editions) by Howard Hibbard (1985)

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting! I really enjoyed this and liked learning about his life.

[Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful volume, as only the Folio Society can produce. Fully illustrated in dust cover (not dust jacket).

[Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid biography of the great Renaissance man. It'd be hard to overstate the influence Michelangelo has wielded over the history of art since the Mannerist period. A worthy read.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Lucy McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This booked was incredible. First textbook I genuinely enjoyed and red front to back. I wish to be a poet and a sculptor