What might Michelangelo's styles/depictions of these characters suggest about early 16th Century notions of Biblical prophets and prophecy? If you had only these paintings to go by, who/what would you imagine a prophet to be?
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Majestic Prophets and Prophetesses
What might Michelangelo's styles/depictions of these characters suggest about early 16th Century notions of Biblical prophets and prophecy? If you had only these paintings to go by, who/what would you imagine a prophet to be?
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9 comments:
One of the most interesting characteristics of Michaelangelo's depictions is the way in which all of the prophets/sibyls are shown alone. This might indicate that the prophets functioned outside of the mainstream. Also, the prophets are shown in what appear to be elevated chairs or platforms, suggesting that they were held in high regard. These depictions alone would likely lead the viewer to understand prophets/sibyls to be persons of power in society.
Sophie
I noticed that all the characters, which the exception of Jonah and Jeremiah, are positioned with books or scrolls. To me, this indicates a sign of intelligence.
It is also very clear that the characters are all very muscular, even the females. I associate this physical strength with being powerful.
Furthermore, all the prophets/sibyls have smaller characters painted around them. I interpret this as people that the prophets/sibyls are influencing.
Based on only these paintings, I imagine a prophet to be a powerful figure who is extremely knowledgable and influential.
Lauren Cavanagh
I liked the way these paintings were all showing the prophets in positions of great power. Michaelangelo was a great artisan and like so much of the art in his day all the paintings seemed to have a masculine appearance.
Bob Miller
I noticed that the characters were painted as very large and most are seen with scrolls. There are other people in the paintings but they are much smaller. They looked to be in great shape and are literate.Therefore people would see them as very powerful and wise.
I see prophets as wise and very knowlegeable.
Lisa
What you could get from looking at Michelangelo's paintings is that prophets were larger than life itself to give them a God like presence among the human race. You could also see that everyone, including women were masculine. If I only had the paintings to go off of, I would see the prophets as Gods themselves and that they were very powerful but had a presence humble presence.
Saryn
Astute observations! Biblical prophets as individualistic (antisocial, maybe?), literate (or at least scripturalized), charismatic, forces of nature (indeed, of divinity)... not to be messed with!
Did the original societies and audiences of these intermediaries view them in the same manners?? The evidence is mixed, as we'll see...
pdk
Each individual, aside from beards and attire, is white. The "look" of remains homogenous. They are muscular, denoting an image of strength. Not one of the individuals depicted is smiling. Could this advance the idea that their purpose is considerably serious? Sans Jeremiah, each subject is surrounded by cherub figures. Are these cherubs the messenger of the word of the Lord? By painting alone, I would Joel, Zacharia and Sybil to be prophets.
When looking at the chapel ceiling as a whole these prophets take the place of almost pillars that hold up the history from creation to christ. It is interesting to think that perhaps history is carried forward by the lives of the prophets.
Michael
The prophets are meant to be shown as heroic figures. And this includes the Sybils, the female prophets. They appear as muscular as having to have strength to provide information that is crucial and necessary though may not be popular. There are commentaries on the Cumaean Sybil. One commentator likened her to the Roman Catholic Church, old and ancient, yet powerful and a force to be reckoned with, hence her mighty appearance.
Her features are muscular arms and her body which may represent, a guardian aspect. Her swollen breasts, betray a gentle and nurturing nature. Her ancient face as having to endure the test of time, both the peaceful and the challenging epochs of humanity.
The muscular features as another commentator said was the following: the hard baller. A Roman ruler was given an opportunity to buy 9 books of prophecies pertaining to the future of Rome. He refused to pay. She burns 3 of the 9 books. She offers to sell him the remaining 6. He again refuses. She burns 3 more. His curiosity got the best of him. He relents and buys the remaining 3 books but at the original price for 9, in 300 gold pieces, a steep price in those days. He requests that she restore the 6 previous books that were burnt, she refuses and vanishes from the scene.
She had to be one tough lady. Hence her honored image as an old but powerful maiden. To say what needed to be said, she had to be strong woman.
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