In an unprecedented exhibition, several of Michelangelo’s preparatory drawings for the Sistine Chapel will be presented in the US. Curator Adriano Marinazzo provides insight into this exciting opportunity.
Written by Anna Sexton, MA & BA Art History, BA Int’l Relations
TheCollector recently had the pleasure of speaking with curator Adriano Marinazzo about Michelangelo: The Genesis of the Sistine, an exciting new exhibition held at the Muscarelle Museum of Art at William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. On view from March 6 to May 28, 2025, the exhibition brings together Michelangelo’s rarely seen initial studies and early drawings for the world-renowned frescoes he completed in the Sistine Chapel. As a leading scholar on the oeuvre of Michelangelo, Marinazzo has also used this once-in-a-lifetime show to introduce several discoveries in Michelangelo’s work that have not previously been presented to the public. Read on to find out more!
You are considered a leading scholar of Michelangelo, and this exhibition can be seen as a culmination of 15 years’ worth of research into his life and works. How did your journey with Michelangelo begin? What in particular stood out to you and made you want to specialize in the Italian Renaissance, especially Michelangelo’s art?
My first love in Renaissance art was Raphael. In my family home, I still have a painting I made as a child, copying a Raphael Madonna and Child—I think I was about ten years old. But later, I discovered Michelangelo. In fact, during my final high school oral exam, I was asked about the Sistine Ceiling. I was thrilled because it was my favorite subject. Even at 17, I was deeply fascinated by his genius and bravery. Over the years, my research at Casa Buonarroti, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Vatican Museums granted me access to Michelangelo’s drawings, letters, and archival documents. This allowed me to uncover new perspectives on his work and continuously refine my understanding of his creative process.
As briefly and succinctly as possible: Who was Michelangelo, and why should people (i.e., non-art history enthusiasts) care about him?
Michelangelo was the ultimate Renaissance man—sculptor, painter, architect, poet, and engineer. His works, from the Sistine Chapel to the David, define Western art. His influence transcends art history; he tackled universal themes of human struggle, ambition, and spirituality, making his work timeless and relevant even today.
Many are familiar with Michelangelo’s works in the Sistine Chapel, but very few likely ask themselves how his iconic frescoes came to be. So, how did Michelangelo realize these world-famous masterpieces?
Pope Julius II initially envisioned a simple decoration with twelve apostles, but Michelangelo soon persuaded him to embrace a far grander vision. He designed an illusionistic architectural framework and meticulously refined his compositions through preparatory drawings. Despite immense physical and technical challenges—working for years on scaffolding high above the chapel—he transformed the ceiling into a masterpiece that redefined the possibilities of fresco painting forever.
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