Old Sacristy Analysis
“Michelangelesque” is how many would describe the architectural design of The New Sacristy. Located in the right transept of the San Lorenzo church, Michelangelo began the New Sacristy in 1519. The New Sacristy recalls Brunelleschi’s Old Sacristy, the two chapels are similar regarding materials and purpose. The New Sacristy and the Old Sacristy both contain the tombs of members of the Medici family. The statues and tombs form a unique relationship with the Architecture of the New Sacristy.
Although the New Sacristy was being modeled of Brunelleschi’s Sacristy one major change Michelangelo made was inserting a mezzanine and continuing the pendentive architecture and dome. Which was much higher with antique coffering, in place of Brunelleschi’s …show more content…
In addition to the tombs, Michelangelo began to carve the Medici Madonna. The sculpture features the Christ as a child twisting around, showing us his back. The tombs, almost identical, are idealised representations of Giuliano Duke of Nemour and Lorenzo Duke of Urbino. Both are wedged into the niches above stone coffins, often referred to as the sarcophagi. The sarcophagi are at our eye level and feature pairs of figures, male and female. The sculpture of Lorenzo is located on the right side of the picture, left side of the chapel. The figure looks deep in thought, his left elbow on a money box carved with a grotesque head. On his sarcophagus are two sculptures, the Dawn and Dusk. The Dawn is located on the right, the Dusk is located on the left. The dawn (the female) seems like she just woke up, and because of the frowns on her forehead we can assume she is worried or remorseful. Giuliano’s sculpture is very detailed and because of the body language, we get the impression that he is ready for action. Lying on Giuliani’s sarcophagus is night, on the left, and on the right day. The Night has a crown of stars, and a moon and owl at her feet. Due to her facial expression we can assume she is in a deep sleep. The Day lies with his legs crossed and overlooks his shoulders. The male figures (Day and Dusk) are less smooth compared to the female figures and they also seem less
Although the New Sacristy was being modeled of Brunelleschi’s Sacristy one major change Michelangelo made was inserting a mezzanine and continuing the pendentive architecture and dome. Which was much higher with antique coffering, in place of Brunelleschi’s …show more content…
In addition to the tombs, Michelangelo began to carve the Medici Madonna. The sculpture features the Christ as a child twisting around, showing us his back. The tombs, almost identical, are idealised representations of Giuliano Duke of Nemour and Lorenzo Duke of Urbino. Both are wedged into the niches above stone coffins, often referred to as the sarcophagi. The sarcophagi are at our eye level and feature pairs of figures, male and female. The sculpture of Lorenzo is located on the right side of the picture, left side of the chapel. The figure looks deep in thought, his left elbow on a money box carved with a grotesque head. On his sarcophagus are two sculptures, the Dawn and Dusk. The Dawn is located on the right, the Dusk is located on the left. The dawn (the female) seems like she just woke up, and because of the frowns on her forehead we can assume she is worried or remorseful. Giuliano’s sculpture is very detailed and because of the body language, we get the impression that he is ready for action. Lying on Giuliani’s sarcophagus is night, on the left, and on the right day. The Night has a crown of stars, and a moon and owl at her feet. Due to her facial expression we can assume she is in a deep sleep. The Day lies with his legs crossed and overlooks his shoulders. The male figures (Day and Dusk) are less smooth compared to the female figures and they also seem less