Michelangelos Grabmal Julius' II. in S. Pietro in Vincoli

Abstract

Michelangelo's sepulchral monument for Pope Julius II in the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome, is discussed. Drawing on evidence provided by letters, contracts, and invoices, the writer reconstructs Michelangelo's original plans for the tomb and examines how the monument was executed, the extent to which the artist was involved in the execution, and later alterations. He shows that some basic assumptions customarily made by researchers when addressing the history of the tomb and its original form are no longer tenable.