The genius of old age: Michelangelo's later works at the British Museum

The essential aspect of this exhibition is in the title: Michelangelo, the last decades. How does genius age? Michelangelo lived to a great age for his time, dying just shy of his 89^th birthday. This show deals with his last three decades, give or take a few years. He was summoned just before his 60^th birthday to Rome in 1534 by Pope Clement VII to paint the Last Judgment for the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, thereby setting himself up in competition with his younger self, the Michelangelo who painted the ceiling of the chapel. He didn’t have to go through the same physical contortions to paint it, but it was a formidable undertaking. Clement VII died just two days after his arrival; no matter, he continued to work for his successors – he saw in another four popes.