Michelangelo Paintings

Though Michelangelo had a low opinion of painting and declared that he was not a painter, even going so far as to sign letters, “Michelangelo, the Sculptor,” he painted two of the most important and magnificent fresco works in Western Art.  Summoned to Rome by the Pope Michelangelo reluctantly undertook the gigantic task of painting parts of the Sistine Chapel.  Ironically the Scenes of Genesis on the ceiling and The Last Judgment on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Rome are some of his best known works of art.  Painting this considerable and awkward space was extremely demanding.  A large scaffolding system was built to hold workers and materials.  The system was built high up on the walls of the Chapel so that mass could still be held during the work.  Michelangelo often bent backwards in order to paint over his head causing him pain and leaving him with lasting physical ailments.  Michelangelo was frequently dissatisfied with the abilities of his assistants and fired and hired them on a regular basis.  This enormous commission was completed mainly on his own over the course of a four year period. 

Michelangelo painted with traditional techniques instead of creating new or implementing complex painting techniques.  His love of sculpture comes through in his paintings as you view the well-defined bodies in his works.  His use of the human form made a great impression on contemporaries and future generations of artists.  Regardless of his attitude towards painting, Michelangelo became one of the most influential artists of the High Renaissance period.  

Read more about some of Michelangelo's most famous paintings The Sistine Chapel Ceiling and The Last Judgment.