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Transcript

The

Prophet

Jeremiah

  • On the Sistine Chapel ceiling

  • Painted by Michelangelo from 1508–1512

  • One of the seven Old Testament prophets painted

General Analysis

  • The fresco depicts a very expressive man.
  • He appears to be in deep thought or anguish

  • Under the man there is a painted plaque that says "Hieremias"
  • This is Latin for "Jeremiah"

  • Behind Jeremiah there apear to be two women

The Questions

The Questions

Who is Jeremiah?

  • He was a prophet born around 650BCE

  • He was born and raised in a preistly family

  • God warned him of an attack towards the Israelites from the Egyptians

  • He attempted to tell the Israelites and was called treasonist liar

  • The invasion came and Jeremiah was freed

What is Jeremiah's expression?

  • The most common interpretation of Jeremiah's expression is that of anguish
  • No one heeded his warning about the incoming invasion and his city was destroyed

  • Jeremiah's hand seems to be in signum harpocraticum
  • This is a pose a hand covering the mouth and the index finger extended

  • Some sources interprate Jeremiah's expression as a reflection of Michaelangelo's won feelings.

Who are the two women?

  • The two women depicted are not actually thought to represent real people.

  • They contribute to the theme of sorrow in the fresco.
  • Jeremiah is often called the weaping prophet

Notes on technique

Technique

  • The portrait was done in buon fresco
  • Buon fresco involves mixing pigment in with plaster and using the plaster to paint. It is much more durable but the painting must be done very quickly

  • Michelangelo is often praised for his accuracy to the human form and rendering of light
  • The light is very dramatic anc clearly stand out

Notes on Context

Context

  • Pope Julius II is the one who commisioned the painting of the Sistine Chapel
  • He was often called the "Warrior Pope". This is because he put a lot of effort into unifying italy under the church
  • Pope Julius II liked funding grand projects that could show off the churches power and wealth
  • This is one of the reasons for the Sistine Chapel's construction
  • The motivation for displaying wealth could stem from the growing discontention between the public and the church. In 1517 Martin Luther published the 95 thesis

Pope Julius II

Final Thoughts

  • The pose and expression in the portrait is striking and is a clear example of Michelangelo's style

  • Given the background of Jeremiah it makes sense why he was chosen as one of the old testament figures painted

Final Thoughts

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