Michelangelo's Last Judgement Analysis

Michelangelo’s Last Judgement Michelangelo’s Last Judgement on the Sistine Chapel altar wall was finished in 1541, and depicts the second advent of Jesus Christ, as well as the final judgement of humanity during the second coming. Marcia B. Hall, and Leo Steinberg offer their views on what Michelangelo’s Last Judgement depicts. Both use a variety of resources to dissect the Last Judgement to determine what Michelangelo was trying to depict in his fresco scene. Marcia B. Hall argues in her article “Michelangelo’s Last Judgement: Resurrection of the Body and Predestination” that Michelangelo designed the fresco to represent the resurrection of Jesus, but not the judgement by Jesus (Hall, 89). Hall bases her claim on Jesus’ active presence. Rather than be “ the …show more content…
Hall believes that Jesus’ action, as portrayed in the fresco, plays down the judgement. Further, Hall implies that the Elect were portrayed untraditionally, they are participatory rather than being placed on a throne (Hall, 91). Hall states “Michelangelo in this fresco seemed to be attempting to find a middle course between Renaissance optimism and Reformation pessimism about man, while recognizing truth on both sides” (Hall, 91). Hall asserts the ominous mood of the time, which was after the sack of Rome, combined with Michelangelo’s own feelings (Hall references his writings) are what Michelangelo was attempting to represent. Leo Steinberg in his article “Michelangelo’s Last Judgement as Merciful Heresy” argues against the perception that Vasari