Michelangelo and Men. The Male Body in the Life and Work of Michelangelo

This publication is the first to offer a thorough and research‑driven examination of the male body in the life and work of Michelangelo. Leading art historians approach the subject from multiple perspectives including the impact of anatomical study and classical antiquity on the artist’s practice, his devotion to the body of Christ, his engagement with Neoplatonic ideas of perfection and beauty and his personal preference for the youthful male body which shaped some of his most exceptional artistic achievements.

Integrated into the broader narrative of the exhibition at Teylers Museum, the catalogue situates these themes within Michelangelo’s intellectual world and visual language. Through essays, comparative analyses and a rich selection of drawings, studies and sculptural works, the volume illuminates how the male nude became central to the artist’s exploration of form, expression and spiritual meaning. It serves as an essential resource for readers interested in Renaissance art, the history of the body and the enduring legacy of Michelangelo’s vision.