Review of Michelangelo, the Byzantines, and Plato
Posted: 08 Mar 2022, 13:42
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Michelangelo, the Byzantines, and Plato" by Elena Ene D-Vasilescu.]
Michelangelo, the Byzantines, and Plato is a non-fiction title written by Elena Ene D-Vasilescu. The author discusses how Michelangelo’s genial work was influenced by the Byzantines, Plato, and the Neo-Platonists. Throughout the book, she provides abundant evidence to corroborate her theory that Michelangelo knew Byzantine art and that his oeuvre reflected this. To that end, she intended to put together these pieces of evidence that support her line of reasoning, and she delivered!
It is hard to say what I most enjoyed about this well-written and thorough title. Philosophy, arts, and literature are themes that interest me a lot, so I was immediately attracted to this book when I saw it. For starters, I very much liked the author’s brilliant parallels between Michelangelo’s work and Byzantine painting; she cleverly enumerates and examines several commonalities, which I enjoyed. For instance, the author analyses the lack of elaborated landscapes to frame the characters, the quasi-identity of limbs, the manner of preparation and application of the frescoes, painting on wood panels, and the employment of gold. I particularly appreciated how the Sistine Chapel was often used as an example in these analyses.
Additionally, I very much enjoyed the book’s philosophical stance. This aspect was what I liked the most. The author analyzes how Plato and Neoplatonism, which underwent a revival in the Renaissance, influenced Michelangelo. The book skillfully shows how Michelangelo received these influences via conversations with the philosophers and the artists at the Florentine Academy, as well as by reading their books. Moreover, I was impressed by the ingenious discussion of how the importance of beauty for Michelangelo bears Platonian elements. I felt that the author's writing style was both elegant and clear, despite the markedly academic subject.
Also, I liked that this well-researched and scholarly title includes marvelous illustrations. It is an aesthetically pleasing book, which I thought was a bonus. I dare say that even if one doesn’t appreciate the analyses, the illustrations themselves make the book worth reading. For instance, I was very impressed by the picture of Michelangelo’s Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
In closing, I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. It seemed professionally edited, and there was nothing I disliked about it. It is a well-written and pleasurable read that includes numerous bibliographical references and an index. I highly recommend it to readers who are fond of scholarly explorations. If you enjoy reading about the Renaissance, you should look at this book.
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Michelangelo, the Byzantines, and Plato
View: on Bookshelves
Michelangelo, the Byzantines, and Plato is a non-fiction title written by Elena Ene D-Vasilescu. The author discusses how Michelangelo’s genial work was influenced by the Byzantines, Plato, and the Neo-Platonists. Throughout the book, she provides abundant evidence to corroborate her theory that Michelangelo knew Byzantine art and that his oeuvre reflected this. To that end, she intended to put together these pieces of evidence that support her line of reasoning, and she delivered!
It is hard to say what I most enjoyed about this well-written and thorough title. Philosophy, arts, and literature are themes that interest me a lot, so I was immediately attracted to this book when I saw it. For starters, I very much liked the author’s brilliant parallels between Michelangelo’s work and Byzantine painting; she cleverly enumerates and examines several commonalities, which I enjoyed. For instance, the author analyses the lack of elaborated landscapes to frame the characters, the quasi-identity of limbs, the manner of preparation and application of the frescoes, painting on wood panels, and the employment of gold. I particularly appreciated how the Sistine Chapel was often used as an example in these analyses.
Additionally, I very much enjoyed the book’s philosophical stance. This aspect was what I liked the most. The author analyzes how Plato and Neoplatonism, which underwent a revival in the Renaissance, influenced Michelangelo. The book skillfully shows how Michelangelo received these influences via conversations with the philosophers and the artists at the Florentine Academy, as well as by reading their books. Moreover, I was impressed by the ingenious discussion of how the importance of beauty for Michelangelo bears Platonian elements. I felt that the author's writing style was both elegant and clear, despite the markedly academic subject.
Also, I liked that this well-researched and scholarly title includes marvelous illustrations. It is an aesthetically pleasing book, which I thought was a bonus. I dare say that even if one doesn’t appreciate the analyses, the illustrations themselves make the book worth reading. For instance, I was very impressed by the picture of Michelangelo’s Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
In closing, I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. It seemed professionally edited, and there was nothing I disliked about it. It is a well-written and pleasurable read that includes numerous bibliographical references and an index. I highly recommend it to readers who are fond of scholarly explorations. If you enjoy reading about the Renaissance, you should look at this book.
******
Michelangelo, the Byzantines, and Plato
View: on Bookshelves