Michelangelo: Draftsman/Architect

October 9-December 11, 1988

Overview: The first section of this two-part exhibition included 46 figure drawings by Michelangelo (63 works were listed in the catalogue). The second part consisted of 33 related sketches, drawings, engravings, and paintings by other artists. Also shown were large wooden models prepared under Michelangelo's supervision of the façade of the church of San Lorenzo in Florence and the drum and dome of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.

The show was organized by the National Gallery with Casa Buonarroti in Florence (where the second part of the exhibition had been shown the previous summer), the Royal Library, Windsor Castle, and the Olivetti Company, Milan. A larger version was shown at the Musée du Louvre. The exhibition was coordinated at the National Gallery by David A. Brown.

Gaillard Ravenel and Mark Leithauser designed the exhibition and Gordon Anson designed the lighting. The exhibition was supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

Attendance: 218,977 (64 days)

Location: West Building, Main Floor, Galleries 73 through 79, East Garden Court (9,000 sq. ft.)

Catalogues: Michelangelo Draftsman, by Michael Hirst. Milan: Olivetti, 1988.
Michelangelo Architect: The Façade of San Lorenzo and the Drum and Dome of St. Peter's, by Henry A. Millon and Craig Hugh Smyth. Milan: Olivetti, 1988.
A Dictionary of Michelangelo's Watermarks, by Jane Roberts. Milan: Olivetti, 1988.

Other venue:

Musée du Louvre, Paris

Search past exhibitions
Previous | Next (chronological list)