Guest Author - Sandy Hemphill
Agony. Ecstasy. These two words are perhaps the best choices for describing the full depth of intense and undeniable passion that drives every devoted artist. They are also the title of works of art, in print and on film, that encompass more realms of the world of art than perhaps any other.
In 1961, Irving Stone’s biographical novel based on the life of the great Italian painter and sculptor, Michelangelo Buonarroti, was published under the name, The Agony and the Ecstasy. Stone was a master of the art of words, famous for bringing to vivid life the lives, loves, and passions of men and women throughout time who were known for their innovative and sometimes daring approaches to the events and issues of their day.
Michelangelo lives on today through the many works of art he left us during his life at the height of the Italian Renaissance. The world-famous frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is a must-see for millions of visitors to the Vatican City today. His marble statue of David fascinated and scandalized the people of Florence when it was unveiled in 1504. The 17-foot tall statue depicting Biblical King David, in the nude, was perceived as stunningly beautiful but so true to life, in even the smallest detail, that critics feared some form of sorcery must have been involved. Both works took the artist many years to complete, years he suffered through unimagined agonies to achieve the ecstasy of eternal acclaim.
Stone’s novel met with great success, too, earning the American author honors from the Italian government for his extraordinary portrayal of Italian history. It also caught the attention of Hollywood.
In 1965, a film version of the book was released by the same title, starring two of the most highly esteemed actors of all time. The American actor, Charlton Heston, played the starring role of Michelangelo opposite Great Britain’s Rex Harrison, portraying Pope Julius II, known as Il Papa Terrible, the Terrible Pope, for his relentless pursuit of aggressively ambitious goals. Both actors were honored with many awards throughout their lifelong careers and their dramatization of the stormy relationship between these two passionate Italian legends of the Renaissance era earned five Academy Award nominations for the film.
The passion of art - the agony it brings forth and the ecstasy of achievement - is felt across the full spectrum of the art world. This passion escapes all boundaries, including those of time, place, and form.
