Final Exam

Question: What were Michelangelo's influences? Consider his works in fresco, sculpture, architecture, poetry and underlying humanist beliefs

Theses: Michelangelo's influences for his artwork came from many places, such as looking at the beauty in nature, looking at the was humans work, or maybe he just drew what he saw when he was under the pressure of doing well when his rival, Leonardo Da Vinci were on the race for the best painting.

Primary Source #1:

"The greatest gifts are often seen, in the course of nature, rained by celestial influences on human creatures; and sometimes, in supernatural fashion, beauty, grace, and talent are united beyond measure in one single person, in a manner that to whatever such an one turns his attention, his every action is so divine, that, surpassing all other men, it makes itself clearly known as a thing bestowed by God (as it is), and not acquired by human art. This was seen by all mankind in Leonardo da Vinci, in whom, besides a beauty of body never sufficiently extolled, there was an infinite grace in all his actions; and so great was his genius, and such its growth, that to whatever difficulties he turned his mind, he solved them with ease. In him was great bodily strength, joined to dexterity, with a spirit and courage ever royal and magnanimous; and the fame of his name so increased, that not only in his lifetime was he held in esteem, but his reputation became even greater among posterity after his death"

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/vasari1.html

Medieval Sourcebook: Giorgio Vasari: Life of Leonardo da Vinci 1550

Primary Source #2

"Michael Angelo was at this time fourteen years old, and he made such progress that he astonished Domenico, who saw that he not only surpassed his other pupils, of whom he had a great number, but often equalled the things he did himself. It happened once that one of the boys who was learning there had copied with a pen some women out of one of Ghirlandajo's works, and Michael Angelo, taking the paper, with a thicker pen outlined one of the women again, as she should have been drawn."

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/vasari/vasari26.htm

Michael Angelo

Giorgio Vasari's Lives of the Artists

Primary Source #3

"also Michael Angelo's works and Michael Angelo himself, then living in Rome. He went therefore with some of his friends, but having seen all that he desired, returned to Florence, considering wisely that the works there were too profound for him, and should be seen not by beginners, but by those who have greater knowledge of art. Nevertheless after more study he returned again to Rome, and spent there a year making many things worthy of memory, and for his friend Luca Martini he made a copy in wax of Michael Angelo's Moses"

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/vasari/vasari14.htm

Lionardo da Vinci

Giorgio Vasari's Lives of the Artists

Argument: In source One we see that nature has a lot to do with what they were drawling., such as it's beauty and grace. Also, looking at source two and three, you can see that he may of beeen influenced by his life, and all the things and places that he went.