Florence, Italy - Renowned for his monumental works, including the iconic statue of David, the magnificent frescoes adorning the Sistine Chapel, and the grand dome of St. Peter's Basilica dominating the Rome skyline, Michelangelo Buonarroti's lesser-known masterpiece is now open to the public for the first time in the artist's "secret chamber" in Florence.
This concealed space is situated beneath the Medici Chapels in Florence, where Michelangelo crafted intricate tombs for members of the Medici family behind the San Lorenzo Church in the New Sacristy, or Sagrestia Nuova.
In 1975, during renovation work to create a new exit for the venue, a restorer conducting cleaning experiments made an astonishing discovery. Under two layers of plaster in a corridor previously used to store coal, multiple drawings of human figures were uncovered.
This narrow chamber measures 33 feet in length, 10 feet in width, and eight feet in height. The figures, drawn in charcoal and sanguine (a rust-colored chalk or crayon), often layered upon each other and varying in size, were attributed to Michelangelo by Paolo Dal Poggetto, the former director of the Medici Chapels.
Historical accounts suggest that Michelangelo sought refuge in this cramped space for several weeks in 1530. At the time, Pope Clement VII, a member of the Medici family, had recently regained power in Florence, following his expulsion by a republican government that Michelangelo had served. The pope had initially ordered Michelangelo's execution, a sentence that was later rescinded after two months. Following this, Michelangelo resumed his work in Florence before relocating to Rome four years later.
It is believed that the discovered drawings are preliminary sketches for future works, possibly including the design of one of the statues within the New Sacristy.
Francesca de Luca, curator of the Museum of the Medici Chapels, remarked, "This place grants today's visitors the unique experience of being able to come into direct contact not only with the creative process of the maestro but also with the perception of the formation of his myth as a divine artist." The restoration, led by Paola D'Agostino, director of the Bargello Museums, has been described as "time-consuming, constant, and painstaking work."
The space has never been accessible to the public regularly until now. Starting on November 15, the chamber will be open to a highly limited number of visitors to ensure the preservation of the drawings. Only a maximum of 100 people will be allowed to visit each week, in groups of four, with 15-minute visits scheduled every day except Tuesdays and Sundays. Due to its location down a narrow staircase, the chamber is not accessible to visitors with disabilities or children under 10.
This concealed space is situated beneath the Medici Chapels in Florence, where Michelangelo crafted intricate tombs for members of the Medici family behind the San Lorenzo Church in the New Sacristy, or Sagrestia Nuova.
In 1975, during renovation work to create a new exit for the venue, a restorer conducting cleaning experiments made an astonishing discovery. Under two layers of plaster in a corridor previously used to store coal, multiple drawings of human figures were uncovered.
This narrow chamber measures 33 feet in length, 10 feet in width, and eight feet in height. The figures, drawn in charcoal and sanguine (a rust-colored chalk or crayon), often layered upon each other and varying in size, were attributed to Michelangelo by Paolo Dal Poggetto, the former director of the Medici Chapels.
Historical accounts suggest that Michelangelo sought refuge in this cramped space for several weeks in 1530. At the time, Pope Clement VII, a member of the Medici family, had recently regained power in Florence, following his expulsion by a republican government that Michelangelo had served. The pope had initially ordered Michelangelo's execution, a sentence that was later rescinded after two months. Following this, Michelangelo resumed his work in Florence before relocating to Rome four years later.
It is believed that the discovered drawings are preliminary sketches for future works, possibly including the design of one of the statues within the New Sacristy.
Francesca de Luca, curator of the Museum of the Medici Chapels, remarked, "This place grants today's visitors the unique experience of being able to come into direct contact not only with the creative process of the maestro but also with the perception of the formation of his myth as a divine artist." The restoration, led by Paola D'Agostino, director of the Bargello Museums, has been described as "time-consuming, constant, and painstaking work."
The space has never been accessible to the public regularly until now. Starting on November 15, the chamber will be open to a highly limited number of visitors to ensure the preservation of the drawings. Only a maximum of 100 people will be allowed to visit each week, in groups of four, with 15-minute visits scheduled every day except Tuesdays and Sundays. Due to its location down a narrow staircase, the chamber is not accessible to visitors with disabilities or children under 10.
