The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo by Irving Stone

Michelangelo Buonarroti was a great sculptor and painter during the Italian Renaissance. Along with Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael, the three artists are collectively known as the “three great masters” of the High Renaissance. Michelangelo had many talents, including sculpture, drawing, and architecture. Among his most celebrated works, his sculpture David embodies the vigor of the male body and the humanist ideals of the Renaissance. His illustrations on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, based on scenes taken from the Book of Genesis, is a monumental piece in the history of Western art. In addition, his design of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica remains an architectural marvel to this day. How did Michelangelo create all these timeless masterpieces, and what is the story behind each of them? Let’s delve into The Agony and the Ecstasy and uncover the legendary life of this great artist.