Griffin Gowdy

October 13, 2015

Jean Coco English 1001
GAP
Audience: Art enthusiast
Analyzing Michelangelo's The Last Judgment

I chose this particular text because I know a lot about it art history as
well as this piece of artwork. The Sistine Chapel is considered some of his
best work. I enjoy art history and Michelangelo was an extremely talented
artist. His works in the Sistine Chapel are widely known and easily
recognized making it ideal to approach an audience with.
There was not much feedback for me other than to describe some
more points and to keep writing. I added details about the colors and I also
was told I needed a conclusion which I added. I considered many aspects of
the painting. I was thinking about that would've gone in Michelangelo's head
when he was planning his painting. What he would have considered.
I think my strengths of my GAP are the amount of analysis I can
provide and all the layers of meaning. I think some weaknesses might be
length. Did I provide enough analysis? In conclusion I have discovered to be
patient, your paper will come together. I tend to want everything to fall
perfectly into line the first try. That almost never happens so I have to
revise- a lot.
The Sistine Chapel is one of the most recognizable buildings because
of its paintings. Michelangelo, who just as recognizable, was the artist that
painted these famous frescos. The particular one I will be speaking about is
The Last Judgment. Which portrays some interesting images. How does
Michelangelo communicate the value of religion in the fresco through the use
of icons, expressions and context?

At this point in Michelangelo's life he was much older and his outlook
on religion had changed. he had become very concerned with his soul and if
he was going to go to heaven or not. By portraying this he wanted other to
contemplate if their souls would go to heaven or not too. Obviously this
fresco is beautiful but it also has a solemn outlook on the judgment of our
souls. It portrays God the father in the center judging the souls with hell at
the bottom.
Michelangelo wanted us to contemplate our lives and did not want our
souls to be condemned that's why the piece has an overall seriousness to it.
he uses heavy shading to to make the figures stand out and add to the
mood. the only bright colors in the piece are red (the color of blood and fire)
and the blue sky. The rest of the colors (the grass landscape) are muted and
solemn. I believe Michelangelo did this because the blue background makes
the figures pop and stand out while the red reminds us of the wrath of God.
The main source of light in this painting is God the Father. If you
observe closely you will notice a lot of the shadows are coming from the light
radiating off of him. God does not necessarily have a golden halo but instead
a ring of bright light surrounding him. The closer the figures are the more
light is shining on them, and generally placing them of a greater importance
than others in the piece.

He also makes use of linear perspective in the fresco. If you look

closely almost all the lines and figures point towards God the Father. All the
lines converge in one point (called the vanishing point) where God the Father
is judging the souls. This naturally draws our eyes there. Figuratively and
literally setting our eyes on God and what he wants for our souls and if we
are going to heaven or not.
Michelangelo uses icons in his artwork to add another layer of meaning
to the painting. If you look to God the father's left you see St. Bartholomew
holding his own skin. St. Bartholomew who was also known as Nathaniel
who was one of the 12 apostles. He is holding his own skin because he
became a Martyr when he was skinned alive. This is a very serious death
and I believe Michelangelo wanted to front and center for shock value.
After all of this a viewer can see that this painting has a story. The
longer you contemplate the story and look at the painting the more you get
out of it. This painting touches on many points. The colors evoking feelings,
the figures pointing to Jesus. Even down to the placement of the icons.
Michelangelo though a long time about this painting and wanted other to as
well. He wanted them to be as concerned with their souls as much as he
was.