Explore Some Of The Marvels By Michelangelo In London

Michelangelo Buonarroti, the genius of the Renaissance, symbolises invention and skill, emphatic assertions of originality, and a form of artistic signature. He was perceived as divinely inspired and therefore acting under the power of some transcendent force. Allusions to poetry in his art are usually cryptic metaphors or reflections of contemporary philosophical conventions. Michelangelo was a creator of marvels, and displayed his skills to astonish contemporaries. Delve into his works in five different locations around London.

1. National Gallery: Manchester Madonna, c.1497

Church, Museum

Tourists crowd the balcony of The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, England, UK.

This is an unfinished painting by the young Michelangelo. Its medium is tempera on wood. In 1857, the Madonna was exhibited for the first time in the temporary exhibition: Art Treasures of the United Kingdom in Manchester; before this, the painting was in the Borghese collection in Rome. This work is usually attributed to the master’s debuts at the time of his first trip to Rome, when the banker Jacopo Galli commissioned him some works. The portrait portrays the return of the divine family from Egypt. The painting represents Mary, in the act of reading a prophetic book that reveals the fate of her son. Behind we see the young John the Baptist with his signature camel fur. On the sides we can find two pairs of symmetrical angels reading from a scroll. Only the one on the right is complete, whereas the other is illuminated only with green pigment, which is the base colour for flesh tone.

2. British Museum: Portrait of Andrea Quartesi, c.1530

Building, Museum, Library

The British Museum attracts 7 million visitors per year

This work is a representation of the head and shoulders of a young friend of Michelangelo called Andrea Quartesi. It is executed with black chalk and pencil on paper circa 1530. Quartesi was a nobleman living in Florence from 1512 to 1585. There are some letters that inform us that this young man took drawing lessons from Michelangelo. It was usually against the will of the subjects and after much insistence that Michelangelo would be able to draw his portraits. In the portrait, Andrea Quartesi looks straight into the eye of the viewer. Michelangelo’s meticulous precision and detail in drawing the man’s attire is very striking.

3. Royal Academy of Arts: Taddei Tondo, 1504-1505

Museum, School, Art Gallery

Tondo Taddei is a marmoreal bass relief by Michelangelo made between 1504 and 1505. This piece in particular was completed for Taddeo Taddei, and was displayed for private devotion in his palace in via de’ Ginori. The marble was previously in the Wicar Collection in Rome, where Sir George Beaumont purchased it in 1823; this resulted in the piece being brought to London. The scene depicts the Virgin, the Child and St John, with St John holding out a goldfinch to the baby Jesus. The scene is inspired by everyday life, and creates a dynamic ensemble.

5. Victoria & Albert Museum : David, 1501-1504

Museum

David is one of the most famous sculptures made in marble by Michelangelo between 1501 and the start of 1504. It is considered one of the masterpieces of world sculpture, and is one of the emblems of Renaissance and a symbol of Florence and Italy abroad. David represents the biblical hero in the moment in which he is about to face Goliath. Originally, the statue was placed in Piazza della Signoria as a symbol of the Florentine Republic, vigilant and victorious against enemies. David has always been considered as the ideal of male perfection and beauty in art. On 16th August Michelangelo was commissioned with a statue of King David, to stand in one of the external sections of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It was said that the huge piece of marble Michelangelo was given already had some anthropomorphous forms.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.