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Early sketch of Medici tomb, 1520-1, black chalk
Study for the figure of Day, black chalk
Sketch of left leg of Day, black chalk
Michelangelo
The Medici Chapel
Michelangelo did not just draw and paint frescoes. He was also an architect, but he considered himself first and foremost a sculptor. In 1520, he designed the tombs for a chapel in Florence where the rich and powerful Medici family were to be buried.
Michelangelo designed tomb figures in much the same way as he planned the Sistine Chapel, by doing detailed drawings in chalk. In the early sketch of the tomb you can see how he tried out different heights and layouts.
Michelangelo decided to carve Night and Day on one of the tombs. His drawings show incredible detail - can you see the bulging veins on Day's leg? Day's arm is behind his back in a position that in real life would be very uncomfortable, yet Michelangelo manages to make it look graceful.
Resources for teachers
Discussion points and activities on the Medici Chapel
Download teacher notes (25 Kb)