INSPIRATION: Michelangelo's Studies for the Battle of Cascina

It's no secret that the Renaissance master Michelangelo Buonarroti is one of the greatest influences on my work. In particular, his drawings have always been a source of pure inspiration. I was even fortunate enough to visit the Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman and Designer exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of NY in 2017 (see sketches from the visit here).

In fact, I've always been drawn to the twisting and frenetic energy of his studies for the Battle of Cascina. See examples below:

Michelangelo: Sk​etch of a Nude Man (study for the "Battle of Cascina"), indian ink on paper, 37.5 x 23 cm, 1503, British Museum, London, UK (public domain)

Michelangelo: Study to "Battle of Cascina," chalk on paper, 40.8 x 28.4 cm, 1504, British Museum, London, UK (public domain)

Michelangelo: Study of figure to "Battle of Cascina,"  chalk on paper, 42 x 28 cm, 1505, British Museum, London, UK (public domain)

Michelangelo: Study to "Battle of Cascina," chalk on paper, 40.5 x 22.6 cm, 1504, Teylers Museum, Haarlem, Netherlands (public domain)

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From those studies, I took inspiration for my recent painting Startled Man. I sought to capture that twisting urgency and heightened awareness in black and white washes of latex paint. The resulting painting owes a deep gratitude to Michelangelo's studies for the Battle of Cascina. 

Startled man, latex paint on canvas, 43 x 55, 2022