Michelangelo’s vignette The Fall of Man expresses the centuries old interpretation of woman’s involvement with Original Sin. He continues this narrative through the depiction of the male snake of Genesis painted in the female form.
Throughout history there has been the tendency to excuse man’s lack of self control on woman’s influences… With countless biblical references including Adam throwing Eve under the bus, blaming “She gave me the fruit”.
This similar to King David being tempted by Bathsheba as he spied on her while she bathed. This ultimately led to David ordering the murder of her husband, the ultimate consequence of Original Sin.
It’s a shame how much of the renaissance art promotes these dark misogynistic themes.
I prefer to see Adam & Eve in the supportive role as partners. Both equally aware and equally responsible. A pairing of minds and bodies.
Randall Bezeau … “The Pear”
The Pear captures the moment before the first bite, as Adam is lowering Eve down from the tree. Their eyes meet and for the first time they begin to understand the significance of their pairing.
As the season is still cold and snowy… this is the perfect time to create a maquette for what may be my next marble statue. Michelangelo would also use the off season to draw or model new ideas, when the heat of the summer would be too great for stone work.
Modeling clay gives you time and flexibility to adjust your work while expressing ideas through your hands… In a very real sense, you’re bringing life to an idea locked in your mind. Reminds me of the poem:
The finest artist cant conceive a thought
that the marble itself does not bind.
within its shell, waiting to be brought
out by the hand that serves the artist mind.
Michelangelo
The maquette, after much tweaking is now ready to be cast. Remember 90% finished is good enough… Finishing touches and realism will be added in the final clay stage. As figures are standing, this will be the most challenging plaster mold I have attempted. One single poured piece that will need to stand on three legs while drying. More on the planning a preparation of this next time….
Early in his artistic life, Michelangelo spent years studying anatomy through the dissection of medical cadavers. Though this was forbidden by the Church he moralized that his taboo research was to forward a greater good. His first Pieta, now in St Peters clearly displays his knowledge of muscle tone and muscle placement; an uncanny accuracy that he continued to apply throughout his life’s work.
