WHAT?  Michelangelo: The Last Decade 

WHERE?  The British Museum, Joseph Hotung Great Court Gallery, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG

WHEN?  Now until 28th July

WHY GO?  To pay homage to a genius.  Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling is quite literally up there with everything that is glorious about Italian Renaissance art, but how much do we know of this great man’s life thereafter?  Given that he died at the age of 88, there’s lots to learn as he worked right up until his final days.

The last thirty years of Michelangelo’s life and work are intimately documented in this atmospheric exhibition which portrays a man who was deeply religious, slightly cantankerous and loved his family unconditionally and though he never married, had many loyal male friends with whom he worked creatively.

The most significant, Tommaso de Cavalieri, was gifted one of Michelangelo’s most powerful works as a lesson in morality, The Punishment of Tityus showing an eagle tearing out the liver of a muscular naked man, definitely not a gift to be shunned!

A sculptor, painter, architect and writer of poems with such sensitivity, Michelangelo’s works lean further towards depicting sacrifice, faith and redemption as he gets older.

He lived parsimoniously, shunning decadence despite being richly rewarded during his lifetime, and according to letters on show, enjoyed a lively though judgemental relationship with his nephew who was entrusted with his estate when he died.

The highlight of this monumental show is the only surviving Michelangelo cartoon Epifania, (about 1550-53) displayed for the first time since restoration work began back in 2018. 

Once seen, never forgotten, this is the Michelangelo we want to remember. 

It’s no wonder he was known as II Divino (the divine one) throughout his lifetime.

IN THE KNOW  Uncover every last detail of Michelangelo’s final three decades with a curators tour.  Sara Vowles and Grant Lewis explore this contemplative period of his life when he delved deep into his Catholic faith and depicted the crucifixion time over through intensely spiritual drawings, curated within the show in an arresting mini display called ‘Meditations’.