philosophy test essay

Topic: Michangelo’s sculptures could be said to personify ideas found in Philosophy. To what extent do the statues of the captives develop themes of the Renaissance, the artist, as well as reflect upon dualist ideas about the human body?

When looking back into the renaissance era people tend to think of many great works of art. Some look at the Sistine chapel and say that the picture of god giving Adam life is the keystone of the renaissance however there seems to lack a certain philosophy behind the art, as it is a more religious piece. Take the sculptures of the captives intended for the tomb of Julius. These sculptures, even if unfinished, should represent our views on the renaissance. The sculptures show deeper thought into themes of the renaissance, themes on the artist, as well as reflection on dualist thoughts of Plato. Without these sculptures one may not be able to comprehend the amount of thought put into art in the age of the renaissance

            Michangelo is a renaissance man. His works such as David inspire others as they take roman style art and again renew its glory. Renaissance means rebirth and the ideas of Rome and Greece would again triumph religion of the dark ages. The depictions of the captives show that there are people in a struggle. They may be trying to escape themselves, or trying to escape a higher power. Nonetheless the sculptures develop the idea of being trapped and trying to escape, just as the renaissance was about trying to get out of the veil that was the middle ages. In this sense michangelo does use sculpture to portray the ideas of the renaissance.

            Sometimes the artist of a piece of work really can show their personality through their works of art. Jan Van Eyck did this in his painting of Arnolfini and his wife. By displaying himself in the mirror in the center of the painting Van Eyck really brings a sense of self-presence to the painting. He shows that he as an artist wants credit and by being in the center of the painting he really is the focal point in the work of art. Michangelo took a different approach to putting himself into the sculpture of the captives because he may have tried to depict himself trying to escape society and religion around him. Many speculate the Michangelo was homosexual and that the captives are really his way of displaying this. According to the rumor he tries to depict himself as a man being held captive by religious belief around him and that really the captive wants to be free to do what he wants. Strange however not farfetched. Maybe these rumors aren’t true and maybe michangelo was not homosexual. Another interpretation suggests that it shows himself trying to show how he wants his art to be seen. Some of the best pieces of art show the artist in it. Van Eyck’s literally does and Michangelo’s subconsciously does

            Dualist views in the renaissance are depicted in many ways of art and religion. Look at the way that in Raphael’s painting of “the school of Athens” has dualism. It features famous philosophers with heads of others. An interesting prospect however when you connect the head to the philosopher you can see how the person directly relates to the corresponding philosopher. This shows how there can be two parts to a human; inside and one out. Raphael’s representation isn’t the only one we have. The captives actually provide a better example of dualistic views. Michangelo shows how the soul is trying to escape the body. Just how in Plato’s thoughts there is a spirit trapped inside of flesh. Or that the soul is made of three parts. Reason, Spirit, and desire. The body in the sculpture represents the desire and cravings to escape but the mind, which is more powerful, represents the reason keeping the body at bay. Or it could be that the mind is trying to break free from the body. Only one man knows and that man is Michangelo.

The renaissance was the time to live! The age of scholars, art,  and architecture. During this time Michangelo sculpted the captives. These sculptures as they were depicted the dualistic philosophies, the artist, and the overall theme of the renaissance era to a very great extent. Even though these sculptures were intended to be a symbol to remember pope Julius II we really need to look at the captives in a more optimistic light. They are very great pieces of art and without them one may not be able to comprehend the great amount of information brought from the renaissance era.