The sculptural composition of the Madonna and Child Christ, later called the “Madonna of Bruges,” became the only statue of Michelangelo that left Italy during his lifetime.
This marble statue was originally created by Italian genius at the very beginning of the 16th century, shortly after the completion of the Vatican Pietà, it was intended for a niche above the main altar in the Siena chapel of Cardinal Francesco Piccolomini, which explains some of the disproportion of the sculpture and the downward views of the Virgin and Child. However, during the process of work, disagreements arose between the sculptor and the customer - Michelangelo fundamentally wanted to sculpt the baby Jesus naked, while the cardinal considered this unacceptable. As a result, thanks to the mediation of Michelangelo’s friend, banker Giovani Balducci, the owners of the statue became influential merchants from Bruges - Jan and Alexander Muscrone (in Italian pronunciation Moscheroni). In 1506, sculptural composition left Italy to be presented by merchants as a gift to the Bruges Church of Our Lady.
The small statue, whose height is only 128 centimeters, was placed in a black marble niche in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, and in 1768 the composition was supplemented by two side sculptures (by Peter Peters), allegorically representing Faith and Hope. Over the course of several centuries, the “Madonna of Bruges” left the capital of West Flanders twice: after French Revolution, when all of Europe was in a fever, and in 1944, when the Germans retreating from the city were able to take out the statue under mattresses in a Red Cross truck. However, at the end of World War II, “Madonna” returned to its place. After a fanatic attacked the Vatican Pietà in 1972 (the maniac damaged the sculpture with a hammer), the Bruges authorities decided to protect their statue with bulletproof glass.
“Madonna of Bruges” deviates from generally accepted standards in many respects church canons of that time: pensive, as if immersed in her thoughts, the Mother of God does not press her son to her, her gaze is directed to the side. The classical beauty of her young face is marked by subtle poetry, lyricism and deep sorrow, as if the mother had already revealed the sufferings of the cross destined for her son. American writer Irving Stone in his famous novel“Torment and Joy,” dedicated to the life and work of Michelangelo, describes the statue as follows: “That is why she resisted, did not want to let go of this beautiful, strong and agile boy, who grabbed her protecting hand with his little hand. And that’s why she covered her son with the edge of her cloak. The boy, sensing his mother’s mood, also had sadness hidden in his eyes. He was full of strength and courage, soon he would jump off his mother’s lap and leave this safe refuge, but now, at this moment, he grabbed his mother’s hand with one hand and pressed the other to her thigh. Perhaps he is thinking now about her, about his mother, saddened by the inevitable separation: her son, so trustingly clinging to his knees, will soon wander alone in the world.”
It seems that Mary’s eyelids are about to tremble, her chest, covered with the flowing folds of her clothes, will sigh, the baby Jesus will take his first independent step, in whose entire appearance one can already feel the hidden power... “Madonna of Bruges” is one of the most believable, inspired, “living” works of the great Michelangelo.
Whose works undoubtedly left a mark on history and influenced the development and formation of Western art. In the West it is considered the greatest sculptor, and although he spoke unflatteringly about painting, his frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, “ Last Judgment"and other works helped him find a place among greatest artists. In addition, Michelangelo was one of the best architects of his time. This list of works includes both sculptures and architectural projects, as well as paintings.
10 Iconic Works of Michelangelo
10. Madonna Doni.
Type: Tondo.
Year of writing: 1507.
Madonna Doni
Angelo Doni, in the early 1500s, commissioned a master to depict the “Family of Saints” in order to later give it to his wife. The master used a round frame (tondo) for the painting.
The Doni Madonna includes the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, the Christ Child and John the Baptist. Behind are five naked male figures.
9. Bacchus.
Type: Marble statue.
Year of creation: 1497.
This statue was completed by the sculptor at the age of 22. The famous work depicts the Roman god of wine, Bacchus, holding a right hand a glass of wine, and in the left is a tiger skin. Behind him sits a faun who is eating a bunch of grapes. "Bacchus" is one of two surviving sculptures early period Michelangelo's work in Rome.
8. Madonna of Bruges.
Type: Marble statue.
Year of creation: 1504.
Madonna of Bruges
"Madonna of Bruges" depicts Mary with the child Jesus. In this sculpture, Michelangelo does not adhere to the traditions of depicting this composition. The virgin’s face is distant, she does not look at Christ, as if she knows his future. At this time, the baby goes out into the world without maternal support.
7. Laurentian Library.
Type: Architecture.
Year of creation: 1559.
Laurentian Library
The Laurentian Library was designed by Michelangelo in 1524 for the Church of San Lorenzo in Florence (Italy). The entire structure, including the interior of the premises, was developed by the master in the innovative, at that time, style of mannerism.
This work is one of Michelangelo's most important architectural achievements. It is characterized by innovation and revolutionary ways of using space.
6. Moses.
Type: Marble statue.
Year of creation: 1515.
In 1505, Pope Julius II commissions Michelangelo to work on his tomb. The statue is located in Rome (Church of San Pietro in Vincoli). There is a legend that when the work was completed, Michelangelo hit the right knee of the sculpture with a hammer, as it began to speak, he was so realistic.
Type: Marble statue.
Year of creation: 1499.
The Pieta depicts the Virgin Mary mourning over the body of Jesus after the crucifixion, who lies on her lap. The statue is not based on real ones biblical stories, but still gained popularity in Northern Europe in the Middle Ages.
Buonarroti was only 24 years old at the time of completion of the work, which is now considered one of the world's greatest masterpieces of sculpture.
4. Last Judgment.
Type: fresco painting.
Year of creation: 1541.
Last Judgment
In Western art, “The Last Judgment” is one of the most significant works. Painted on the altar wall of the chapel, it demonstrates the second coming of Christ to earth. Jesus is shown in the center and surrounded by prominent saints who have risen from the dead.
Type: Architecture.
Year of manufacture: 1626.
Located in the Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica is the most... famous work Renaissance architecture. Many people worked on its creation famous masters(including Antonio da Sangallo). Although Michelangelo did not create it from scratch, the cathedral has survived to this day in the form in which it was Buonarroti who conceived it.
2. The creation of Adam.
Type: fresco painting.
Year of creation: 1512.
Keystone of Renaissance painting - The Creation of Adam, located on the ceiling Sistine Chapel, which gave birth to a number of followers and big number parodies.
1. David.
Type: Marble statue.
Year of creation: 1504.
Probably the most famous work Michelangelo's masterpiece sculpture of the biblical character David, who is ready to fight Goliath. The theme of David and Goliath was quite popular in the art of that time. Caravaggio, for example, has three works dedicated to this subject.
The colossal statue, 5.17 meters high, demonstrates Michelangelo's exceptional technical skills as well as the power of symbolic imagination.
10 iconic works Michelangelo updated: October 2, 2017 by: Gleb
ALL PHOTOS
Over the weekend, believers in the Church of St. Peter in the small town of Acerra near Naples witnessed an unusual phenomenon.
Many parishioners claim that they allegedly saw the statue suddenly change and move its foot, Tgcom reports.
Moreover, people say that this is not the first such episode. Over the past 15 days, the statue allegedly moved several times, but this was kept silent so that there was time to check it and so as not to make unnecessary noise.
However, many people witnessed the “miracle” over the weekend and the news spread within a few hours. People suffering from various ailments, women, and children immediately rushed to the church. They all reunited in prayer near the statue of the Madonna. People started talking about a miracle.
“I saw her legs moving under her dress, as if she wanted to meet the believers halfway. Her knees moved forward, first the right leg, then the left, so that the folds on the marble dress were smoothed out. This is not an illusion, many saw it,” says one of witnesses.
Over the course of several days, more and more residents of a town located near Naples have become convinced that the figure of the Virgin Mary is moving, and many are ready to swear, first of all, a group of women who, a few days ago, noticed a change in the silhouette of the Virgin Mary while cleaning church premises. Some argue that the statue’s knees are bent in a new way, others say that the bedspread on the Madonna, also made of marble, lies in unusual folds.
The statue of Madonna Acerra is beginning to become a collective phenomenon and a miracle captured by mobile phones, writes Corriere della Sera. Believers proclaim a miracle and, to support their words, constantly take photos, first of all, with the help of mobile phones, in order to document the “changes in position” of the statue (translation on the website Inopressa.ru).
The priest Don Oreste prefers to take a cautious position: “Personally, I didn’t see anything, so I can’t say anything.” However, he immediately warned the bishop of the diocese of Acerra, Giovanni Rinaldi, who had not yet transmitted the information to the Vatican: “Internally I do not believe it, but I will evaluate the documents and evidence in order to decide on the appointment of a commission.”
“In the 27 years that I have been in this city, this is the first time I have heard of such things. I think this phenomenon should be approached with extreme caution, as one treats things that defy understanding,” Bishop of Acerra Don Antonio Riboldi told Mattino.
Don Riboldi explains the increased attention of believers as follows: “There is so much suffering in the world, and people to the greatest extent those predisposed to this want to see a sign of God in what is happening.”
This sensation became so widely known that thousands of believers had already gathered in front of the Church of St. Peter in Acerra. The crowd became huge and firefighters had to close the doors of St. Peter's Church. The believers, however, did not give up, and on Sunday during the midday mass the basilica was crowded with people confident that they were seeing a miracle.
Meanwhile, as RIA Novosti reports with reference to the ANSA agency, on Monday the church was still closed to pilgrims. This was done at the request of the specialists who came here, who decided to calmly examine the statue of the Virgin Mary and understand what happened.
Let us remember that several years ago in Italy small plaster sculptures of Madonnas were crying. The red liquid that poured from the eyes of the figures was taken for examination. Scientists then declared that it was real human blood.
Moreover, the figurines were X-rayed, but no voids or secret mechanisms were found in them.
Less than a month ago in Italy, a statue of Saint Pius, who, according to Italians, knew how to perform miracles during his lifetime and continues to perform them after death, began to cry tears of blood. Until now, the reason for this phenomenon remains a mystery.
In cities as ancient and untouched by time as Bruges, life is like a dream. Therefore, being in Bruges and dreaming about it are almost the same thing. However, only after getting to know this amazing city in person do you begin to understand why the great aesthetes of the early twentieth century were able to endure life exclusively in Bruges. One of the main attractions of the city, which in itself is one big attraction, is the Cathedral Church of Our Lady. The massive structure, piercing its long spire into the postcard Flemish sky, amazes with its diversity architectural styles, which it has absorbed over the 200-year history of construction.
The history of the Church of Our Lady begins no less than in the 9th century, when a small chapel was built outside the city rampart. Then it was replaced Romanesque basilica, and construction of the modern Gothic Church of Our Lady began in 1220. However, its 122-meter tower remains to this day the tallest brick building in Belgium. An eclectic mixture of styles is characteristic of all Flemish churches that were built before the second half XVI century. The soaring Gothic exterior of the cathedral blends harmoniously with the interior, designed in Baroque style interspersed with Rococo or Romanesque style. The reasons for this should be sought in the history of iconoclasm, as a result of which it was destroyed interior decoration almost all the churches in those places. They were restored much later, when the world was ruled by Baroque.
Behind the powerful walls of the Church of Our Lady is one of the most beautiful sculptures on earth - the famous “Madonna and Child”, which was created by the great Michelangelo in 1505 and became the only job the author, who left Italy during the creator’s lifetime.
1501-1503. Gallery Vrouwekerk, Bruges. Michelangelo Buonarroti
The height of the sculpture is 128 cm, marble. Michelangelo Buonarroti depicted classic version Our Lady with the Child Christ. This type of idealization has been used by many other artists. In addition, Michelangelo was an ardent admirer of Dante. At the beginning of St. Bernard's prayer in the last canzone Divine Comedy It says: “Vergine Madre, figlia del tuo figlio” - “Our Lady, daughter of her Son.” The sculptor found perfect way to express this medieval theological thought in stone.
Extraordinary beautiful woman, on whose face one can read the mother’s pain. A mother who knows that in a few years her beloved son will have to atone for the sins of humanity in terrible agony. Truly, only a genius can create so many emotions on a block of icy marble. Michelangelo's sculpture alone deserves to call the Church of Our Lady in Bruges a major Belgian landmark. But the wealth of the Flemish merchants knew no bounds, so here you can also see the magnificent paintings of Peter Paul Rubens decorating the choir. In addition, in the Church of Our Lady there are two of the most luxurious sarcophagi in Europe in the flaming Gothic style, which belong to the last Burgundian rulers of the Valois family - Charles the Bold and his daughter Mary, during whose reign Bruges reached the peak of its greatness.
Since Bruges is now an absolute tourist destination, the city is trying in every possible way to maintain this image. Sights are everywhere!
But there is also a real relic here, which the city was lucky enough to receive back in 1506. Many people come here to see it!
Madonna of Bruges, Michelangelo
...At that time Bruges was flourishing. Very rich people lived here. One of them, the merchant Mouscron (Italian Moscheroni), once visited Michelangelo in his workshop.
Moscheroni had a clear idea of what the Virgin should look like. I repeat, the city was rich and at every step it was decorated with statues, luxurious temples (which local residents were considered small, regional churches), many painters lived and worked in the city. Therefore, Moscheroni was a fairly art-savvy person.
But when he saw this marble statue, he was shocked and immediately decided to buy it from Michelangelo.
Features of the sculpture of the Madonna in Bruges
...Here it is necessary to make a digression.
The composition was commissioned from Michelangelo by Cardinal Piccolomini. But during the work, disagreements arose. Michelangelo fundamentally wanted to sculpt the baby Jesus naked, while the cardinal considered this unacceptable.
Disagreements led to the cardinal apparently abandoning the sculpture...
What shocked the Brugger merchant so much and disgusted the cardinal?
Those sculptures of the Mother of God that Moscheroni saw in his life met all religious canons. They were modest, draped with many folds, under which the outlines of the bodies could not even be discerned, sad. The Madonna who amazed the merchant in Michelangelo's workshop was alive! Yes, her face expressed sadness, but it was living sadness! The sculpture seemed to be breathing. There was strength in her!
The Madonna deviated from the generally accepted church canons of that time: the Mother of God, pensive, as if immersed in her thoughts, does not hug her son to her, her gaze is directed to the side. The classical beauty of her young face is marked by subtle poetry, lyricism and deep sorrow.
Madonna of Bruges, close up
“That’s why she resisted, did not want to let go of this beautiful, strong and agile boy, who grabbed her protecting hand with his little hand. And that’s why she covered her son with the edge of her cloak. The boy, sensing his mother’s mood, also had sadness hidden in his eyes. He was full of strength and courage, soon he would jump off his mother’s lap and leave this safe refuge, but now, at this moment, he grabbed his mother’s hand with one hand and pressed the other to her thigh. Perhaps he is thinking now about her, about his mother, saddened by the inevitable separation: her son, so trustingly clinging to his knees, will soon wander alone in the world.”(Irving Stone, "Torment and Joy")
The first thing that catches the eye of a person who sees this work for the first time and does not know its history is its disproportion. Look how big the baby is standing next to his mother. Why did it happen?
Was the sculptor mistaken?
The fact is that the statue was intended for a niche above the main altar in the chapel of the same cardinal who argued with the master over the nudity of Jesus. The niche was located at a height of 6 meters. Taking this feature into account, Michelangelo changed the proportions of the composition. By the way, for the same reason, Madonna and Child look down.
How did the Madonna sculpture come to Bruges?
None of this bothered the Brugger merchant. And he persistently asked to sell him this work. Michelangelo had his own little quirk: he did not want his works to be outside of Italy.
Therefore, he set a crazy price for those times, hoping that the merchant would lag behind him - 100 ducats.
And Moscheroni paid!
But the sculptor did not retreat!
In a letter dated January 13, 1506, Michelangelo asks his father to leave the sculpture in a box, in family home and don't show it to anyone.
Six months later, on August 14, 1506, Giovani Balducci writes from Rome to Florence: “I heard that Francesco del Puglise can send the sculpture to Viareggio and from there to Flanders. If you agree with the shipping price, I ask you to send it to Bruges to its rightful owners Jan and Alexandre Mouscron.”
At the end of 1506 the sculpture was transported to Bruges.
“Madonna and Child” became the only work of the master that left Italy during his lifetime.
And today this is its marketing “trick”, which is exploited with all its might by enterprising Bruggers!
...The sculpture is located on the right side of the church, and is separated from the entire room by a partition. There is a ticket office at the entrance and for just 3 euros you can enter separate room and enjoy this work of art!
The ticket, of course, is not to the church. Ticket to the museum!
In general, its value, of course, lies elsewhere. “Madonna of Bruges” is one of the most believable, inspired, “living” works of the great Michelangelo.
Sources: personal impressions, guide’s story, specialized literature