"Michael Angelo" by Ralph Waldo Emerson is an essay that explores the life and work of the Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti. Emerson presents Michelangelo as a harmonious figure whose life and works align with his fame. He is portrayed as a master of painting, sculpture, architecture, and poetry, driven by the pursuit of beauty and truth. Emerson emphasizes Michelangelo's dedication to his craft, his moral integrity, and his relentless pursuit of perfection. The essay highlights Michelangelo's significant works, such as the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, and his influence on contemporaries and future generations. Emerson admires Michelangelo's ability to transcend the superficial and reach for the eternal, portraying him as a figure whose life and art were inextricably linked to the pursuit of the highest beauty and goodness.
By Ralph Waldo Emerson · First published 1865 · Genre: Biography, Art Criticism, Philosophical Essay