TURNS OUT MICHELANGELO WORKED the GIG ECONOMY

…more artistic musings

EARLY on it was apparent that young MICHELANGELO was obviously exceedingly talented. But, in order for the talent to become accepted as a genius it was necessary to delve further into the trade, as that was how artisans were looked upon in late 1489, as tradesmen.

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MICHELANGELO had shown to be a gifted sculptor in his early teens. His father also recognized that his son needed to learn the business side of art that would elevate him to professional status. In 1489 MICHELANGELO’S father made arrangements for the 13 year old to study and apprentice in the then popular GHIRLANDARO’S workshop for 3 years.

During the Renaissance it was common practice for an apprentice to copy from studio sketchbooks depicting life drawings that had been drawn and supplied by the master teacher, in this case GHIRLANDAIO himself. Thus, young artists in a classroom setting would be able to learn and expand their craft. According to MICHELANGELO’S biographer, Ascanio Condivi, GHIRLANDAIO, soon became jealous of his young prodigy and refused to lend his model books from which other students had free access.

At nineteen the young sculptor was invited to Rome by Cardinal Riario to create the BACCHUS statue. Even though the project was brought to completion MICHELANGELO was refused his final payment. The cardinal felt that the completed statue rendered was too risque and inappropriate for his public garden. Later, the sculpture was purchased by the banker Jacopo Galli. Unfortunately, the early Bacchus statue did not earn MICHELANGELO his desired payment or gained him the desired recognition as a master craftsman.

BACCHUS 1494 ~ by Michelangelo

In 1496, two years after carving the BACCHUS statue, Michelangelo began sculpting the PIETA. The French Cardinal Jean Biheres de Lagraulas desired a sculpture for his tomb and agreed to provide 150 ducats for initial expenses. Beginning the project at twenty-one the statue was completed when he was twenty-three. It is interesting to note the PIETA is the only sculpture the artist signed.

PIETA 1498 ~ by Michelangelo

When work was desired by a patron in Renaissance Florence, it was considered a competition. Artists desirous to be selected were required to bid on whatever assignments that were being advertised at the time.

Such was the case when the DAVID project become available for bidding. At one point the more experienced accomplished LEONARDO da Vinci was considered to be the final choice by the overseers of the Office of Works.

Taking matters into his own hands by using self promotion, Michelangelo successfully convinced the 12 member committee charged with its construction that he was better qualified. His official contract was signed on August 16, 1501 receiving a salary of six fiorini per month with 24 months to complete the sculpture. Beginning the project at the age of 26, Michelangelo completed the DAVID when he was 29 years old. It was installed in front of Palazzo Della Signoria in Florence on September 1504.

David 1504~ by Michelangelo

MICHELANGELO signed the Sistine Chapel Ceiling contract on May 10, 1508. For his efforts he would receive 3,000 ducats, which equals approximately $885,000 today. The first received installment was used for brushes and pigments. Also, to purchase rope and wood needed to build scaffolding required to access the chapel ceiling. In addition, Michelangelo was required to pay his team a salary while providing for their living accommodations while in his employ.

Because MICHELANGELO had not touched a brush or painted in fresco for nearly 20 years, he needed to hired a team of experts more familiar using this procedure until he became proficient in the medium. Also, he needed to hire models to build up his portfolio with examples of nude sketches. These renderings would be used to represent over 300 figures incorporated into the final composition.

SISTINE CHAPEL Ceiling project completed in February 1513

THE LAST JUDGEMENT fresco painted on the back wall was begun 1536 and completed 1541 when the artist was 67 years old.

THE LAST JUDGEMENT 1536-1541

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In 1550 the 75 year old Michelangelo was paid 6 SCUDI, equal to $120 in today’s exchange, to guild 8 knobs on the Pope’s 2 beds. The master was listed by the papal secretary as just another employee on the Pope’s payroll.

Featured image: MICHELANGELO 1545 ~ by Daniele da Volterra

FURTHER READING:

The Life of MICHELANGELO. ASCANIO CONDIVI

MICHELANGELO: The Artist, the Man, and His Times: WILLIAM L WALLACE

MICHELANGELO and the POPE’S CEILING. ROSS KING