The Last Judgment: Michelangelo and the Death of the Renaissance

by James A. Connor

Painted on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, 28 years after Michelangelo completed the glorious and hopeful ceiling, The Last Judgment is full of stark images depicting the End of Days. James Connor uses the famous fresco as the lens through which to view the end of the Renaissance, arguing that Michelangelo's imagery and composition provide clues to understand the religious and political upheavals of the time.Uncovering the secrets behind the fresco, Connor details the engrossing stories of conspiring kings, plotting popes, and murderous rivalries between noble families like the Medicis and the della Roveres ? all who were vying for control over Michelangelo and his art. The Last Judgment combines enchanting storytelling with incisive historical detective work, demonstrating how Michelangelo was inspired by Copernicus and how the Counter-Reformation arose from the ashes of the Renaissance.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, History, Italy, Art History

256 pages, Hardcover

First published June 23, 2009

About the author

James A. Connor is the author of Kepler's Witch: An Astronomer's Discovery of Cosmic Order Amid Religious War, Political Intrigue, and the Heresy Trial of His Mother and Silent Fire: Bringing the Spirituality of Silence to Everyday Life. A former Jesuit priest, Connor is professor of English at Kean University in Union, New Jersey; he has also held teaching posts at St. Louis University and Gonzaga University. He is a director of studies at the Lessing Institute in Prague. He holds degrees in geoscience, philosophy, theology, and creative writing, and a Ph.D. in literature and science. He is a prize-winning essayist published widely in such places as American Book Review, Traditional Home, Willow Springs, The Critic, The Iowa Review, and The Iowa Journal of Literary Studies.

Reviews

[Sofia Farzana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fun in the beginning, reading the political background of Last Judgement and life of Michelangelo before he painted the fresco as well as the preparations. However, it was becoming boring and rather too much information in the end.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I find the whole study intriguing and in line with the Church history I have learned, I think it needs to be more organized.

[Esteban Russi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story. The author did a great job grouping all the historic information around Michaelangelo's life and his final masterpiece. I was mostly interested in the chapters covering things about his personal life and the historical context rather than the painting itself, but it's a magnificent book for renaissance lovers.

[Dave-O · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating account of the political landscape of early 16th century Italy that led to the creation of Michelangelo's "Last Judgment" on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel. Power struggles often led to bloody fighting among powerful estates such as the Medici, the papacy, and nations such as France and Spain. The sack of Rome was a seminal event in Michelangelo's life and the author posits that it led directly to his choice of imagery in depicting the end of times in such a brutal way. The book also details the maneuvering that Italy's most prized artist had to do in order to fulfill commissions that spanned years as popes and contracts changed. As a former Jesuit, the author provides insight into Catholic doctrine and history and how delicate this time was for the Church just before counter-Reformation. He suggests that "The Last Judgment" is filled with radical counter-Reformation ideas including how the earth and sky are situated according to a new Copernicus model. Christ is depicted as the Roman god Apollo with his arms twisted into a swastika, an ancient sun symbol. Nude saints and martyrs hold their instruments of torture in his inner circle as angels lead the righteous upward on the left and pummel the damned downward on the right. Over the years, Michelangelo's fresco was praised, condemned, satirized and eventually censored.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michelangelo's masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel is a must see. And if you can read this book before going, you will appreciate its history and power even more. I didn't read it before seeing The Last Judgment, but it makes me want to run back now. It is a dense history of religion and politics and if you are not a fan of renaissance papal struggles, this may be tough. Yet, if you always wanted to appreciate the nuances of politial and religious power and how art can be a chip in that game, this is the book for you. One suggestion, the photos in the book are not in color and the crease is in a tragically difficult place...do yourself a favor and get an art book, in color of the work to have with you for a reference...you will appreciate the detailed discussion of the composition much better. Get a book...leave the computer off.

[Pascal Blanquer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting topic but not the best read
A bit flat and boring despite the interesting background

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dryly written and not as linear as I would like. But interestingly characterized and informative.