WELLINGTON SKETCH CLUB

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 237, 4 July 1938, Page 3

WELLINGTON SKETCH CLUB

+ Address On Michael Angelo Michael Angelo was the subject of a talk delivered by the secretary, Mr. S. 11. Edwards, at a recent meeting of the Wellington Sketch Club. Mr. Edwards said the etudy of the masters wa s not only interesting from the historical point of view, but a study of their work, methods, approach and composition was also of practical assistanceto the working artist. The title of Michael Angelo, who was born near Florence in 1475, was of great human interest. Although he desired to work in marble he was forced, through circumstances. to devote a considerable portion of his life to painting, a medium of expression that did not actually appeal to him. His greatest work, the painting of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, was carried out much against his will. The ceiling of the chapel took him four years to com ’ plete and, although he was working in feverish haste the whole time, he. was unable to complete it to his own satisfaction because of the impatience of the Pope. The wall of the chapel was decorated at a much later date when Michael Angelo was nearly 70 years of age. Although it was a masterpiece it did not have the life and vigour of the work which was carried out on the ceiling. The story of Michael Angelo was a story of tragedy, added Mr. Edwards. As a youth his talents as a sculptor were well realised and he produced some remarkable work at an early age. In character Michael Angelo was morose and sullen. He was u rough figure in a refined age and life seemed to hold no happiness or reward for him. From the time that he undertook his first commission for Pope Julius If in 1505 until lie died, he was never hi« own master and had to bow to the whims of the Popes. Michael Angelo's last work was ' the erection of the great St. Peter’s in Rome. He died in 1564 at the age of 89. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Edwards for his lecture. The Hub’s next lecture will be given by Dr. Laeliore. who will speak on "The German Idea of Art.’’