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Two Michelangelo Sculptures |
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written
by julia625 / 10.22.2005 |
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| Two Michelangelo sculptures |
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Assignment |
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After seeing both, the first comparison I made between the two Michelangelo sculptures involved the position of their heads and their facial expressions. These two aspects shine most light on what the two men are thinking in this preserved moment. Both Christ and Moses are portrayed with shoulders facing more or less forward and a head turned sharply to their left. Their bodies, however, are drastically different. While Jesus has a healthy, muscular, and normal body, that of Moses is portrayed much more like they way a pagan God’s would have been depicted; with rippling, bulging muscles.
In the portrayal of Christ, the figure maintains a look of sorrow about what he is about to do, but at the same time preserves a facade showing both knowledge and faith. He looks as though he knows what he must do is for the best and all will work out in the end. He looks regretful, but confident in his choice; his arms are holding the cross with strength. Christ is not dragging his cross behind him to prolong his death or throwing it over his shoulder for the sake of speed. Instead he holds the cross straight up, with nobility, supporting it with both hands and stepping forward with steady decisiveness. He looks back, leaving his followers with only that sorrowful yet strangely supportive look of compassion.
Moses leaves the viewer with an entirely different impression. His look is not one of confidence or knowledge, but a troubled gaze implying indecisiveness in a difficult decision. While Christ is standing up straight with both arms supporting his burden, Moses is seated and his shoulders are hunched. Moses seems much more overwhelmed by possibly a moral or loyalty dilemma and has not reached the peace that Christ obviously has found. He has what appears to be a book or tablet under his arm and his hands are nervously entwined in his long beard. I left with the impression that Moses is a wise leader struggling with a trying choice. While Christ’s head is tilted slightly down and his eyes and mouth show pity, Moses’ head is tilted slightly up, almost in defiance, and his features are stern and hard. Moses is not looking back at his followers, but lost in this deep thought that is obviously plaguing him. The impression I took away was that Moses was debating whether or not to betray or condemn someone close to him, possibly struggling with his faith in God. It almost seems as though Moses is question his divine instructions and is debating whether to follow God or his own selfish path.
The similarities between these two sculptures are obvious. Both are clearly powerful leaders caught during a wearisome judgment. It almost seems like Michelangelo preserved two people in the same situation but at different moments. Moses is still making his decision, while Christ has undoubtedly already made his. Where Christ seems to have accepted his fate with regret and peace, Moses is still struggling to make a decision that may very well determine his fate. While Christ exudes confidence and peace, although soaked in regret, Moses displays irresolution and aggravation at his situation. Michelangelo caught two similar men in the midst of a religious experience; one who is exiting his situation with confidence and one who is entering his situation with doubt.
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