Michelangelo - the last decades

Michelangelo - Christ on the Cross. Black chalk on paper circa 1543 (c)Trustees of the British Museum

Michael Buonarroti's - known as Michelangelo, last three decades are focused on in this landmark exhibition at the British Museum. During this time Michelangelo's thoughts turned to his own mortality, which is reflected in his art and poetry, revealing insights into his Christian faith.

Aged 59, in 1534, he left his native Florence for the last time, summoned by Pope Clement VIII to finish the Vatican's Sistine Chapel with a fresco of The Last Judgment. Rarely seen stunning studies and preparatory drawings for this vast project are amongst the exhibition's highlights. Other stunning drawings from the Renaissance master include tender portrayals of 'Virgin and Child' and moving Pieta's.

An unusual Annunciation depicts a seated Mary twisting herself round to greet a hovering Archangel Gabriel. Artist Venusti, whom he collaborated with in later life, painted a version for Cardinal Cesi's family chapel, now lost, although a smaller devotional copy is exhibited. Other examples of Venusti's collaboration are 'The Cleansing of the Temple', and a striking Crucifixion belonging to Campion Hall, Oxford, thought to have formerly belonged to the Cavellierio family.

A voiceover by Italian actor, Matteo Piombino, reciting Michaelangelo's poetry, extracts of which are written around the walls enhances the reflective atmosphere.

One of two surviving Michelangelo cartoons, the fragile Epifania, a preparation for a panel painting, is displayed for the first time since its recent restoration alongside a painted version by. Michelangelo's biographer, Condivi. The cartoon includes The Virgin and Child with St John the Baptist and companions with St Joseph in the background on 26 giant sheets of overlapping paper bound by flour paste.

The exhibition profiles the spirituali, the mystical movement Michelangelo was drawn to, initiated by the aristocratic poet Vittoria Colonna and her humanist circle, which included Cardinal Pole, who became England's last Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury under Mary Tudor. The spirituali sought reform within the Roman Catholic church and an emphasis on greater spirituality, studying the Scriptures, contemplative prayer, and concepts of Justification. Michaelangelo's designs for the Vatican's Pauline frescoes were influenced by Pole's theological texts.

His association with Colonna is explored in poetry and their letters He depended on her for 10 years in their "stable and Christian bond" as she described their friendship. A wonderful black chalk drawing of Christ on the Cross given to Vittoria epitomises their mystical spirituality. It is a Johannine depiction of an elevated, exalted Christ who has no crown of thorns. Two angels hover either side of the crossbar looking askance with heads in their hands. A skull lies at the foot of the cross denotes Christ's salvific triumph over death. Colonna described the composition as "exquisite."

Other friendships are considered, especially his close relationship with Tomasso de'Cavallierio, a young nobleman who was present at his deathbed and to whom he dedicated many poems and drawings. Correspondence also examines the somewhat fraught relationship with his young nephew, Leonardo in Florence, who after his death smuggled his body back to Florence to avoid burial in Rome. He was buried in Santa Croce close to the family home. Michelangelo died on 18th February 1564. "in good grace with all the sacraments." A few days before, despite frailty, he attempted to work on a Pieta.

Over 100 exhibits include architectural designs for St Peter's ("I am no architect," he protested!"), wonderful objects in rock crystal designed from his drawings, including a Pax of his mesmerising depiction of a Pieta with Mary's arms outstretched upwards as in prayer, the dead Christ resting on her knees supported by an angel on either side.

At the end of this superb exhibition is a rotunda resembling a chapel with subdued lighting focusing on extraordinary drawings of The Crucifixion, some on a forked cross, positioning Christ's arms upwards rather than outwards. These amazing figurative drawings in chalk are amongst the last works by the ageing Michelangelo and are his spiritual meditations as he contemplates his own death.

Exiting by a display case a loan from the Vatican library of a sonnet he wrote aged 79, dated 1554 and signed by him is affecting. It begins: "The voyage of my life has at last reached across a stormy sea, in a fragile boat," and concludes: "Neither painting nor sculpture will be able any longer to calm my soul, now turned towards that divine love that opened his arms on the cross to take us in."

An excellent catalogue by the curators accompanies this memorable exhibition.

Open 2 May- 28 July

Admission £18, Mondays- pensioners £9. Other concessions available

Catalogue £30 -Gallery price

LINK

Michelangelo - the last decades www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/michelangelo-last-decades?ref=gtv.blue