Main theme: Michelangelo, the esteemed artist and architect during the time of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation.

Part 4. Rome's Old Master

• The architect. When Michelangelo finished the Pauline Chapel it was obvious that he was to old for any other projects that required physical work. Pope Paul III died in 1549. The new Pope, Julius III, appointed Michelangelo official architect of St. Peter's, which, for decades, had been undergoing work. He took on the job without remuneration; designing the principal church of the Catholic world was gratification enough in itself and even though he was to oversee many other architectural projects, St Peter's was always the most important. It was important to the papacy too. The completion of St. Peter's was intended to to re-establish a spiritual and architectural centre of the devastated city.
• Borgo. By then Michelangelo had already been involved in public building programmes for some years. Based on recent years' turmoil the pope in 1537 looked to Sangallo to strengthen the defence works on the Tiber's left bank and those of the Borgo safeguarding the Vatican. Focus was put on the Borgo and in 1542 Michelangelo offered his view on things. Rows erupted between sangallo and Michelangelo. Sangallo remained in charge though but died in 1546. The new director deferred to Michelangelo under whose supervision was built the Belvedere Bastion.
• The Capitoline Hill. In 1539 the pope asked Michelangelo to change the area of the Capitoline Hill from a muddy slope to a paved plateau, restoring the buildings too. Two years earlier in 1537 Michelangelo was given Roman citizenship, which was honoured in a ceremony at the Capitol.
• Farnese Palace. Following Sangallo's death Michelangelo also had the satisfaction of 'redesigning' Sangallo's Farnese Palace. Many of Michelangelo's elements for the design were kindled by the discovery in 1546 at the Baths of Antonius (or caracalla) of a marble Hercules seizing a bull.
• Old Master. Michelangelo was involved in the design of roads. Of the many projects hardly any work had been started by 1549. Michelangelo was in fact the grand old man of the artist circles in Rome. Michelangelo met Titian in 1545 who had been invited to Rome. He got a room and a studio in the Belvedere. Here he executed several paintings for the Farnese family: a Danaé; a Magdalene; an Ecce Homo. Titian was clearly influenced by Michelangelo; as was Perino who at this time was busy painting Michelangelesque forms in the Sala Regis, Castel Sant'Angelo. The good friendship between Michelangelo and Vasari. In 1550 the two of them made the round of the seven churches of Rome to gain the Holy Years's special indulgence, a remission of punishment due for sin. It was a standard pilgrimage for all travellers to Rome. Julius III allowed them to ride on horseback instead of walking due to their advanced age. Duke Cosimo of Florence never ceased asking Michelangelo to return to Florence. Needless to say Duke Cosimo wanted Michelangelo at the very least to finish the Sacristy.
• By the mid-1550s a series of deaths again reminded Michelangelo of how his own life was coming to an end. Julius III died 23 March 1555 (New pope: Marcellus II). Michelangelo's brother Gismondo died 13 November 1555. Michelangelo's favoured assistant Urbino died 3 December 1555. Michelangelo's work gradually grew ever more otherworldly and austere.
• Michelangelo again gave his advice to the pope who wanted tombs for some family members placed in San Giovanni (still under construction and begun under Leo X). In the end the chosen church was Montorio. In 1558 Michelangelo was asked to submit designs for San Giovanni where only scant progress had been made. Michelangelo made several designs for San Giovanni by the end 1550s. Due to a lack of funds they were never implemented. In 1560 Duke Cosimo's son went to Rome to receive his cardinal's hat. Vasari accompanied him and used the opportunity to discuss with Michelangelo the plans for San Giovanni and the Sala Grande in Palazzo Vecchio.

Sights and art works:

Porta Santo Spirito

Belvedere Bastion

The Capitoline Hill

Hercules seizing a bull, antiquity

Farnese Palace

Palazzo Belvedere

Sala Regis, Castel Sant'Angelo

Check Titian's Danaé

a Magdalene

an Ecce Homo