Michelangelo, beyond the Sistine Chapel: British Museum exhibition explores last decades of artist’s life

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A new exhibition at the British Museum will explore the final three decades of Michelangelo’s life and is aiming to encourage audiences to think about the artist beyond David and the Sistine Chapel. The first exhibition since the appointment of the museum’s new director, Nicholas Cullinan, Michelangelo: the last decades will explore not only the final work of the Italian Renaissance master but also elements of his personality by showcasing personal poems and letters. I think the show enables people to get a good sense of what he was like as a person, as well as an artist.” open image in gallery open image in gallery She hopes that visitors will be able to “engage with Michelangelo in a personal way”, saying the exhibition aims to “show people he’s not just this towering genius of Renaissance art”, but a “real man, struggling with concerns that we all have at various points of our life.” “We want people to get a sense of who Michelangelo was. open image in gallery Epifania will be on display for the first time since 2018 The exhibition aims to “celebrate the amazing drawings he’s producing, but at the same time look at the context in which they’re being produced,” showcasing the artist’s “fears and vulnerabilities.” Vowles added: “People have an idea of Michelangelo as this very confident, stubborn character.