ROCKY'S ITALY: Florence - Michelangelo's Laurentian Library Part 1

Summary

In 1524, Pope Clement VII commissioned Michelangelo to build the Laurentian Library at San Lorenzo, near a church dedicated to St. Lawrence. This library housed the Medici family's valuable book collection, which had been moved from Rome to Florence. The library's vestibule, known as the richetto, features a dramatic staircase designed by Michelangelo, which he claimed came to him in a dream. The staircase's central section has curvilinear overlapping ellipses, while its sides are rectilinear. Originally intended to be made of walnut wood, the staircase was instead built using a dark gray stone, giving it a bold, monumental presence.

Takeaways

• 📚 In 1524, one year after being elected, Pope Clement VII commissioned Michelangelo to build the Laurentian Library at San Lorenzo.
• 🏛️ The library was named after the nearby church dedicated to St. Lawrence, hence the name 'Laurentian Library'.
• 📖 The library was designed to house the extensive collection of books owned by the Medici family.
• 🏰 The book collection had originally been kept at the Dominican Convent of San Marco before being moved to Rome, and then finally back to Florence.
• 🚪 The first room of the library is called the 'richetto' or the receiving vestibule, meant to welcome visitors.
• 🚶‍♂️ The space in the richetto is dominated by a unique and monumental staircase designed by Michelangelo.
• 🌀 The central portion of the staircase is formed of overlapping ellipses, giving it a curvilinear shape.
• 🔲 The two side portions of the staircase have a rectilinear design and lack protective balustrades, creating a sense of risk.
• 🪨 The staircase material is a dark gray stone called Pietra, though Michelangelo originally intended to use walnut wood for a warmer feel.
• 📚 The staircase leads up to the actual reading room of the Laurentian Library, designed to complement the grandeur of the entrance.

Q & A

What was Pope Clement VII's request to Michelangelo in 1524?

In 1524, Pope Clement VII asked Michelangelo to build a library at San Lorenzo, which later became known as the Laurentian Library.

Why is the library referred to as the 'Laurentian Library'?

The library is called the Laurentian Library because it is located near a church dedicated to St. Lawrence (San Lorenzo).

What was the purpose of the Laurentian Library?

The Laurentian Library was built to house the vast collection of books owned by the Medici family.

Where was the Medici family's book collection originally kept?

The Medici family's book collection was originally kept at the Dominican Convent of San Marco.

What is the first room of the Laurentian Library called, and what was its intended function?

The first room of the library is known as the 'richetto,' or the receiving vestibule, and its purpose was to welcome visitors to the library.

How does the vestibule’s design affect visitors' feelings upon entering?

Instead of feeling welcomed, visitors are overwhelmed by the monumental staircase that dominates the space.

What unique design feature does the central portion of the Laurentian Library staircase have?

The central portion of the staircase consists of overlapping ellipses, giving it a curvilinear form.

How does the design of the lateral parts of the staircase differ from the central portion?

The lateral parts of the staircase have a rectilinear design, contrasting with the curvilinear central portion, and are free of protective balustrades.

What material is used for the staircase, and what material was originally intended?

The staircase is made of dark gray Pietra stone, but Michelangelo originally intended it to be made of walnut wood.

Why would walnut wood have been a better material for the staircase, according to Michelangelo's original plan?

Walnut wood would have given the staircase a warmer feel and made it more continuous with the design of the reading room.