MICHELANGELO Buonarroti
(b. 1475, Caprese, d. 1564, Roma)

Rehoboam - Abijah (detail)

1511-12
Fresco
Cappella Sistina, Vatican

The young man at right is seated bent forward in an attitude of complete abandon. His head, with his face turned toward the wall, is resting on the hand placed on his right knee; his other arm hangs down at his side. Behind him, a young boy seems to be trying to make him sit upright by grabbing his shoulder. The juxtapositions of bright colours in the woman's clothes - a green scarf over her head and shoulders, a violet-rose pinafore, a reddish-orange mantle with yellow ocher lining - are matched by equally rich, but more delicate, tones in those of the young man.




© Web Gallery of Art, created by Emil Krén and Daniel Marx.