In 1975, a remarkable discovery brought to light the hidden legacy of Michelangelo, the revered master of the Italian Renaissance.
The revelation centered around a clandestine underground chamber, concealed for centuries, adorned with sketches crafted by the persecuted artist himself. Now, after almost five decades, this “secret” underground sanctuary is poised to unveil its mysteries to the public for the first time.
Michelangelo, renowned for masterpieces like the iconic David and the awe-inspiring ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, sought refuge in this covert space for approximately two months in 1530. His life was in jeopardy as Pope Clement VII, a member of the powerful Medici family, had issued a death sentence against him.
The Pope’s wrath stemmed from Michelangelo’s involvement in supporting a rebellion against the Medici reign, the same family for whom the artist had sculpted magnificent tombs in the chapel just above his concealed refuge.
The journey to the discovery of this hidden gem began 50 years ago when museum officials were in search of an ideal location to create a new exit for tourists visiting the Medici chapel.
The trail led them to a trapdoor beneath a wardrobe, unveiling a 10-foot wide room. Peeling away two layers of plaster from the walls exposed an array of drawings, executed by the maestro using charcoal and sanguine wooden sticks.
Paola D’Agostino, the director of the Bargello Museums, which includes four other state museums besides the Medici Chapels said, “He drew things from the past as if he was taking a trip down memory lane … it was like having an album of his works.”
“(It’s) a place of extraordinary charm,” added Massimo Osanna, Italy’s Director General of Museums.
The sketches not only provided a visual narrative of Michelangelo’s artistry but also served as a historical testament to the tumultuous times he faced.
In a bold move, public access to this underground sanctuary is now being granted on an experimental basis until March 2024. However, only four people at a time will be permitted to enter, ensuring optimal conservation conditions for the precious drawings. The room will experience alternating periods of exposure to LED light and prolonged darkness to safeguard the delicate sketches.
Francesca de Luca, curator of the Museum of the Medici Chapels said, “This very small environment is truly unique due to its exceptional evocative potential… traced by signs that attest to great clarity of design.”
The clandestine nature of Michelangelo’s refuge becomes even more intriguing considering the artist’s role as the head of fortifications for a short-lived republican government that expelled the Medici family in 1527. The Prior of San Lorenzo, Giovan Battista Figiovanni, facilitated Michelangelo’s concealment in the room, complete with a small window allowing glimpses of passersby.
After approximately two months of self-imposed exile, Michelangelo secured the forgiveness of the Medici family and returned to his duties in Florence. Yet, four years later, he abandoned the city and took up residence in Rome, never to return.
Despite his departure, Florence held a lasting affection for the artists, prompting the Medici family to steal his remains from Rome and bring them back to be entombed in the local Basilica Santa Croce.
The small room, measuring 10 meters in length, 3 meters in width, and 2.50 meters in height at the top of the vault, had served as a charcoal deposit until 1955. After that, it remained closed and forgotten for decades, concealed beneath a trapdoor covered by furniture.
Dal Poggetoo stated that the artist utilized the walls of the compact chamber for sketching various projects from his artistic history, incorporating elements from the New Sacristy situated above, such as the sculpted legs of Giuliano de’ Medici destined for his tomb, alongside quotes from ancient times.
To experience the allure of Michelangelo’s secret chamber, reservations are limited to 100 people per week until March 30. The cost of entry is set at €20 (approximately $21.80), with an additional €10 for access to the San Lorenzo site and a €3 reservation charge.
Discounts are available for youth aged 18-25, offering a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts and history lovers to immerse themselves in the clandestine world of one of the greatest artists in history.
Francesca de Luca, curator of the Museum of the Medici Chapels, said in a press release, “This place grants today’s visitors the unique experience of being able to come into direct contact not only with the creative process of the maestro, but also with the perception of the formation of his myth as a divine artist.”
What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this news!
True Activist / Report a typo
