FILM 3: Michelangelo / Marlow

Timothy Marlow hosts “Great Artists with Tim Marlow” and is also formally educated on the subject of art. He received his Master’s degree in art from Courtauld Institute of Art, so he is a credible source. In this episode of "Great Artists", Marlow tells Michelangelo's story. In doing so, he used many locations that Michelangelo lived and worked.

The locations Marlow used were chosen because they were the setting of Michelangelo’s journey. I think that it was best to tell the story this way so that the viewers could try to imagine what it was like during that time. It is easier to do so in Italy because the buildings that Michelangelo would have seen are still around today.

The most effective locations were the Sistine Chapel and the area where "David" originally stood. The Sistine Chapel was effective because it allowed viewers to imagine Michelangelo suspended on the scaffolds painting high up. If it were simply an image of the ceiling, it would not have been as effective. It’s a massive piece of art and one of the reasons it is so amazing is because of it’s location. The other location that I thought was effective was the area where "David" stood because we normally think of that statue standing in a museum, when in reality it originally stood outdoors.

I like the painting Michelangelo did on the Sistine Chapel ceiling the most because of all the details and vivid imagery. This painting is a visual depiction of the book of Genesis. It was made as a fresco on the ceiling. Michelangelo had to use a scaffold to reach the ceiling and often worked in painful and strenuous standing positions. My eye is really not drawn anywhere specific but instead it is constantly noticing new things, which is why it is my favorite.


Question: Why do you think that Michelangelo's work was and is so revolutionary?