Tomb of Michelangelo: Allegory of Architecture

Following the solemn funeral of Michelangelo held in the church of San Lorenzo on 14 July 1564, Vasari began his project for the structure of the monument to Michelangelo. The elaborate allegorical decoration for the project was drawn up by Vincenzo Borghini and included contributions by Battista Lorenzi, who sculpted the statue of Painting and the bust of Michelangelo, and Valerio Cioli the statue of Sculpture. The marble personification of Architecture was made by Giovanni Bandini.

Giovanni Bandini (known as Giovanni dell’Opera) achieved recognition early in his career. In 1563 he became a member of the newly established Accademia del Disegno in Florence and the following year was asked to create the personifications of Architecture and the Tiber for the catafalque of Michelangelo. Cosimo I was so impressed with these figures that he commissioned Bandini to execute the marble personification of Architecture for Michelangelo’s tomb. The figure was completed by 1568 but was installed only in 1574. Its solemn grandeur seems to owe much to Michelangelo’s Giuliano de’ Medici (New Sacristy, San Lorenzo, Florence).

The picture shows the lower part of Michelangelo’s tomb with Painting (left), Sculpture (centre) and Architecture (right).