Tomb of Pope Julius II

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Michelangelo, Tomb of Julius II, 1505-1545

Resting in its home in the San Pietro Vincoli in Rome The Tomb of Pope Julius the II was one of the most laborious tasks undertaken by Michelangelo Buonarroti. Built as the third revision, the tomb retains elements of its past like the three levels that separate it. On the bottom: man, weak unholy and impure. Michelangelo sculpted the slave statues that would surround base of the monument, a footing for the holy. The second tier: the prophets and saints where the gorgeous stature of Moses rests. The beautiful statue receives much controversy as some scholars argue that Michelangelo interpreted the story of Exodus incorrectly and gave him horns, while others argue that they are simply an accident. Either way the detail in his face as well as his intricate clothing is intense, explaining how one sculpture could take months and even years. The third tier: those who surpass the last judgment, home to the sculpture of Mary. The third tier originally had angels bringing down Jesus, but that was later done with as the marble became more scarce. The tomb was awe- inspiring despite its leap from the holy masterpiece it was originally destined to be.


Michelangelo's Original, 1505
Eight years before Pope Julius's death work on the grandiose tomb was to begin. Contracting Michelangelo to sculpt his dream, Julius had envisioned nearly an impossible feat. A massive free standing tomb surrounded by 40 of the finest marble states all sculpted by Michelangelo. The Shrine would adorn St. Peters Basilica in Rome, being the first tomb of its kind since ancient times to encase only one man. The project was set with a five-year deadline, a feat impossible for its dimensions 7 X 8 feet X 11 feet. The tomb would have three basic layers, the bottom for man the middle: prophets and saints the top: any who surpass the last judgement.Shortly after work had begun Michelangelo was called away on Papal matters - painting the Sistine Chapel.

Michelangelo's First Revision, 1513
The Pope's death in February 1513 drastically altered the course for the monument. Michelangelo realized the labor involved and re-wrote the contract to reflect a three-sided figure that would rest against the wall. The tomb was also moved to San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome, its current home. A new problem arose -  massive amounts of stone were needed; and at a soaring cost, the marble did not come easily. Pleading with the heirs of Julius, Michelangelo was unable to secure more funding and saw his project fall apart.
Michelangelo's Second Revision, 1516
After four years of agony, a scaled down revision was approved for the tomb, detracting greatly from the original majesty of the structure. With money in hand Michelangelo continued the project. With each sculpture averaging several months in duration to carve, the task remained daunting and furthermore not pressing as the Pope had already died work on the town was at a snails pace. The statues at this point were being carved by apprentices simply to complete the order and move on. The tomb was finally completed in 1545, and now rests as the third revision of a tomb that was fit for a pharaoh. 

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