1. Head Of A Faun (1489)
The Head of a Faun is considered to be Michelangelo Buonarroti’s first known work of sculpture in marble. Sculpted when he was just 15 or 16 years old, it was created as a copy of an antique work with some minor alterations. The original sculpture has since been lost, but reproductions and depictions remain, leading to much interest and study in art history. Depicting an old, bearded faun-like face, Michelangelo imparted to the head a fantasy absent from the ancient sculpture. The faun deity was significant in its usage for the Cult of Bacchus, making it all the more captivating. The head of a faun embodies classical aesthetics that were highly significant during Renaissance times. This piece was created while Michelangelo attended the San Marco Garden school of art founded by Lorenzo de’ Medici. Its magnificence attracted the attention of Lorenzo himself who marked Michelangelo as someone with enormous potential in the field. Nowadays, Head of a Faun holds special significance among sculptures considering it is tied to one artist’s early career triumphs that set him on his path towards fame and fortune.2. Crucifix (1492)
Michelangelo is known for his incredible skill in sculpting the human form, and his Crucifix sculpture is a masterpiece that exemplifies this expertise. The polychrome wood sculpture was lost from view until it re-emerged in 1962. In 2001, new investigations appeared to confirm the attribution of this work to Michelangelo. It was made for the high altar of the Church of Santo Spirito di Firenze in Florence, Italy. The Crucifix theme introduced by Michelangelo showcases perfect proportions, despite not having an iconic muscular portrayal. He was famed for his knowledge of human anatomy and conveyed this through the subtle details on Christ’s body. The sculpture was possibly done by Michelangelo when he was a teenager and is believed to have been donated by a private collector to the Louvre in Paris. Art historians identified this work found in the sacristy of Santo Spirito with the wooden cross mentioned by early writers. There are two different crucifixes attributed to Michelangelo, but neither is universally accepted as his. This makes it difficult to determine which one might be an authentic piece made by him.3. Battle Of The Centaurs (1492)
Battle of the Centaurs is a relief sculpture crafted by Michelangelo in 1492, which depicts the mythical war between Lapiths and Centaurs. The sculpture was commissioned by Lorenzo de’ Medici and remained unfinished until it was completed by another artist, Bartolomeo Vivarini. Michelangelo’s Battle of the Centaurs is an early work showcasing his love for human anatomy. Scholars believe that this masterpiece could have been carved using a bow drill; however, it was created using a chisel. Legend has it that Michelangelo was inspired to create Battle of the Centaurs after hearing about the mythological battle from scholar and poet Poliziano. The fact that this artwork remained incomplete for centuries could be attributed to Lorenzo’s sudden death, as he was one of Michelangelo’s primary patrons. Regardless, Michelangelo held this sculpture in high regard throughout his life. Battle of the Centaurs marked a significant milestone in his career as he transitioned from a young apprentice into an established artist under Lorenzo de’ Medici’s tutelage. Despite being unfinished, this work showcases his attention to detail and ability to carve marble with extraordinary precision at such a young age.4. Madonna Of The Stairs (1492)
Madonna of the Stairs is a low relief sculpture created by Michelangelo around 1490. It can be found at Casa Buonarrati in Florence, Italy. This piece exhibits Michelangelo’s genius as he used his chisel to make three-dimensional figures seemingly pop out of the marble background. The artwork depicts the Virgin Mary sitting on a set of stone stairs with three figures standing in the backdrop. Her child, Jesus Christ, is held on her lap whilst nursing. The infant sits gracefully on Mary’s legs and holds onto her veil while looking at something beyond the viewer’s sight. One exceptional aspect of Madonna of the Stairs is how Michelangelo employed classic sculpting techniques used by Donatello and Brunelleschi to create depth in his sculpture. He also utilized shading effects to catch observed light and add dimensionality to his work. This sculpture was part of Michelangelo’s earliest production together with the Battle of Centaurs created around a comparable time as this work between 1490-92. Although it has been restored more than once, including adding support brackets that did not exist when it was first made, its originality makes it one of Michelangelo’s most treasured works.5. Hercules (1492)
Michelangelo, the renowned Italian sculptor, carved an 8-foot-tall marble statue of Hercules in 1492. Sadly, the sculpture has been lost and has not been seen since 1713. Nevertheless, historians understand its significance from records of its movement throughout history. The statue of Hercules was a major work for Michelangelo during his early years and showcased his exceptional talent for sculpting. In 1528-29, Michelangelo turned a large block of cheaper marble into a stunning 7.7 ft statue of Hercules that still impresses art enthusiasts today. Interestingly, there is controversy surrounding who may have transported this second sculpture to France or if Michelangelo himself took it there as payment for designing the fortifications around Florence. Although we don’t know what the “lost” Hercules looked like precisely, there are drawings and bronze sculptures attributed to Michelangelo depicting this legendary figure. Besides being able to see influences from Classical Antiquity in these works, art historians can also discern Michelangelo’s own unique style and character as well.6. St. Petronius (1494)
Michelangelo’s St. Petronius sculpture was created in 1494-1495 and currently stands at 64 cm in height. The statue is located inside the Basilica of San Domenico, Bologna, and depicts Saint Petronius holding a miniature model of the town he served as bishop. Michelangelo incorporated the “morphological Ferrarese rage” style, seen in paintings throughout Bologna, into his design for St. Petronius. The sculpture was commissioned along with two others as part Arca di San Domenico project which had been started previously but stopped due to poor craftsmanship. Michelangelo was hired to complete St. Petronius while creating the remaining sculptures from scratch; these included depictions of St. Proculus and an Angel. St. Petronius carries a miniature model of Bologna while having detailed carvings on his robe’s beard and chest area indicating movement forward. This depiction adds further detail to this sculpture made out marble using Michelangelo’s artistic abilities at that time are echoed by how much care went into carving each little feature that gives life to this original piece still standing intact today after many centuries passed since its creation..7. St. Proculus (1494)
Michelangelo’s sculpture of St. Proculus is a masterpiece created in 1494 out of marble. The statue measures 58.5 cm and was commissioned by the Basilica of San Domenico in Bologna. St. Proculus is depicted standing confidently, with his cape draped over his left shoulder in a pose that echoes the styles of Masaccio and Donatello. St. Proculus was a martyr from Bologna, and Michelangelo’s sculpture portrays him in an impressive manner befitting his heroic status. This piece is one of Michelangelo’s earlier works which he completed while working on the remaining sculptures for the arca (tomb) of St. Dominic after its original artist passed away. Michelangelo infused his unique style into this creation, which would foreshadow some of his more significant sculptures such as David and Moses later on. The craftsmanship skills reflected it being one of many great achievements accomplished by Michelangelo during his tenure as one of history’s greatest sculptors. Overall, Michelangelo’s sculpture Of St Proculus showcases both his exceptional skill in creating realistic human figures plus reveals how profoundly religion infused art back then when faith combined with talent to create masterful pieces still celebrated today all around the world!8. Tomb Of St Dominic (1494-1495)
The Tomb of St. Dominic is a remarkable sculpture, which was commissioned in the 13th century and took around half a millennium to complete. The tomb incorporates some of the finest marble sculptures from Italian artists, such as Nicola Pisano and Michelangelo. Michelangelo was tasked with completing the tomb by sculpting three figures, namely St. Proculus, St. Petronius, and an angel with a candelabrum. The statues that Michelangelo sculpted are made of small marble pieces that are now kept inside the Basilica of San Domenico in Bologna. It is important to mention that these sculptures were part of a larger decoration project for the Ark of Saint Dominic designed during his early artistic years between 1494 and 1495. Apart from these relatively small sculptures, there is also a fresco worth mentioning within the tomb’s architecture – The Glory of St. Dominic on the apse’s cupola- depicting how St Dominic ascends into heaven bestowed upon by Guido Reni’s brushwork; this has earned it its place as one of Italy’s most treasured art sites. After five centuries in construction, The Tomb was finally placed on an altar made out entirely of marble in the 18th century – now forever standing tall as testament to how long it takes to produce true works-of-art often remain timeless across time itself when history treasures them so immensely.9. Angel With Candlestick (1494-95)
Angel with Candlestick is a significant sculpture in the career of Michelangelo, created in High Renaissance style. The statue depicts a youthful angel kneeling on one knee, holding a large candlestick. It is believed that Michelangelo created this work when he was just 17 years old, making it one of his earliest works as an artist. The sculpture showcases the classic Renaissance style, with well-proportioned and muscular anatomy of the angel’s body. The angel has short curly hair and exudes confidence, with the intensity on his expression highlighting his divine qualities. The wings are also detailed perfectly to reflect their strength and power. Commissioned by Bologna’s Church of San Domenico back in 1495 as a companion piece to Niccolo dell’ Arca’s similar angel sculpture for Arca di San Domenico. It was made to adorn the Arca di San Domenico shrine which serves as an ornate tomb for Saint Dominic, who founded the art-promoting Dominican Order. Located at Basilica of San Domenico in Bologna till date where it still amazes its visitors.10. Bacchus (1497)
Michelangelo’s Bacchus (1497) is a marble sculpture of the Roman god of wine that stands at 203 cm tall, 76 cm wide and 86 cm deep. Commissioned by Cardinal Raffaele Riario for the Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome, it remains one of Michelangelo’s earliest sculptures carved in Rome. The sculpture showcases Michelangelo’s talent and love for marble. The statue portrays Bacchus holding a large cup of wine in his right hand while being depicted naked and inebriated. The sculpture is deemed controversial due to its overall subject matter and style, particularly concerning Bacchus’ expression which some artists describe as an epitome of blasphemy. Today, Bacchus (1497) can be viewed at Room 3 of the Bargello Museum in Florence where it stands out among other exhibits displayed within the same gallery section dedicated exclusively to Michelangelo sculptures.11. La Pieta (1499)
La Pietà, a marble sculpture of Jesus and Mary, is one of Michelangelo’s most remarkable works. The artwork features naturalism and classical beauty in perfect balance, making it iconic in the world of art. La Pieta translates to “pity” or “compassion,” reflecting Mary’s sorrowful gaze over her son’s lifeless body held on her lap. Michelangelo crafted this stunning masterpiece from a single slab of Carrara marble. The pure blue-and-white stone was named after the Italian region where it is mined. Unsurprisingly, the artist used his remarkable talent to make sure every curve of the figures was exceptionally detailed and lifelike. Commissioned by French Cardinal Jean de Bilhères back in 1498 while he was representing Rome, Michelangelo completed La Pietà when he was just 24 years old. He must have poured all his emotions into every carve since it is among his first major works that is signed.La Pieta stands as an example of high Renaissance art movement that happened in Europe during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. This timeless artwork continues to inspire people today as they contemplate its breathtaking details and meaningful portrayal of grief-stricken Mary staring at her deceased son’s serene face.