Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Vestibule, Michelangelo


Title: Vestibule(Ricetto)
Artist: Michelangelo
Location: Laurentian Library, San Lorenzo, Florence
Date : 1523 - 9
Commissioner: Clement VII

  • When Clement VII was made pope - he wanted to leave his imprint on Florence
  • the library was built in the Chruch
  • It housed Medici books + manuscripts that were collected over the 15th Century
  • Provided a study space
  • Books were expensive - cost more than a fresco
  • Donation of books showed their wealth
  • Example of a trend of private collection to public good like a modern library
  • culture can now be more accessible - it is a humanist enterprise to be shared
  • Pietra Serena used throughout - Serene environment
  • originally planned with a glass cieling- allusion to Sistine Chapel + alllows natural light to enter the room
  • coloums in recessions of walls
  • reverse corners
  • large staircase takes up space - lateral staircases connect with the main
  • one stair poised as a seat
  • central staircase comes out in rounded forms - rippling water - coming down rather than going up - affects climbers state of mind
  • unfinished - later completed on his design.

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