Prophet Jeremiah

Michelangelo Buonarroti

Artist

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564)

Artwork Details

  • Artist: Michelangelo Buonarroti
  • Title: Prophet Jeremiah
  • Period: High Renaissance
  • Date: c. 1515
  • Medium: Fresco
  • Location: Sistine Chapel Ceiling, Vatican City
  • Dimensions: Approx. 3.5 meters (height)

Description

One of the most powerful figures on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Michelangelo's Prophet Jeremiah embodies solemnity and profound contemplation. Depicted with a furrowed brow and an introspective gaze, Jeremiah sits hunched, his massive form suggesting a heavy burden of prophecy. The masterful use of chiaroscuro and anatomical detail highlights Michelangelo's unparalleled skill in rendering human emotion and physical presence. The prophet's posture and expression convey a deep sense of foreboding and the weighty responsibility of his divine messages. This fresco is a testament to the High Renaissance's focus on humanism, grandeur, and emotional depth in religious art.