The Agony and the Ecstacy is the “biographical novel” of Michelangelo, but in addition, it is a beautiful story of the Italian Renaissance. Through Michelangelo’s eyes, the reader comes to know the Florence and Rome of his time.
I have not previously read many biographical novels, but I imagine this must be one of the best. Stone does a tremendous job of capturing the life of Michelangelo. Born into a family of stature that has seen better times, Michelangelo is eager to pursue a living as a sculptor. However, any work, no matter how creative or artistic, is seen as labor and of a lower class. Michelangelo defies his father and at age 13 becomes an apprentice to a fresco painter. His strength of character is shown through his determination to overcome the obstacles set by his family to achieve his dreams. Michelangelo’s obsession with his work and a total lack of material wants also single him out, particularly in comparison with his peers (such as Leonardo da Vinci.)
The novel moves quickly through the events in his long life: from his work as a young teenager for Lorenzo de Medici (“Il Magnifico), to his first sculptures, to the creation of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Cathedral. Michelangelo’s work on the Pieta and David while still a man in his early twenties is astonishing. It is pointed out several times in the book that sculpture such as Michelangelo created had not been attempted since the times of the ancient Greeks. He was trained as a painter, but Michelangelo’s true love was marble.
After the creation of the Sistine Chapel masterpiece, Michelangelo’s life becomes mired in political conflict, which causes his art to suffer. While still creating masterpieces, such as the tomb for Pope Julius II and his other fresco masterpiece, The Last Judgement, the remainder of his years are spent on fruitless tasks, such as developing ways to quarry marble, etc.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the arts. Michelangelo’s private and artistic life are both fully explored and leave the reader with a greater understanding of the time period.
I also would recommend this book to anyone traveling to Italy. Ryan & I just returned from a vacation through there; we stayed in Michelangelo’s home city of Florence and would have been content to never leave. The streets and piazzas where Michelangelo and his peers walked were captured by Stone in true detail. San Marco and Santa Maria Novella are extactly as Stone describes. Seeing the statue of David and Michelangelo’s other works were all the more poignant for understanding the story behind them.
This is truly one of the best books I have ever read. Go pick up a copy and happy reading!
