What is unusual about the staircase in the Laurentian Library in Florence?
It consists of three flights of steps; the outer ones are quadrangular shaped, the central ones convex, and the bottom three steps are completely elliptical. The staircase is, then, an explosion of originality which fits perfectly with the fanciful character of the Mannerist style of architecture.
Is the Laurentian Library mannerism?
The Laurentian Library (Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana or BML) is a historic library in Florence, Italy, containing more than 11,000 manuscripts and 4,500 early printed books. The library is renowned for its architecture, designed by Michelangelo, and is an example of Mannerism.
What style is the Laurentian Library?
Renaissance architecture
Laurentian Medici Library/Architectural styles
Who made Laurentian Library?
Michelangelo
Laurentian Medici Library/Architects
The library contains more than 11,000 manuscripts and 4,500 early printed books, works collected by Cosimo the Elder and Lorenzo the Magnificent. It was built under the patronage of Pope Clement VII, who in turn commissioned Michelangelo in 1524 to design the architecture.
Who started the Medici library?
Cosimo the Elder
Medicean-Laurentian Library, Italian Biblioteca Mediceo-laurenziana, collection of books and manuscripts gathered during the 15th century in Florence by Cosimo the Elder and Lorenzo the Magnificent, both members of the Medici family.
When was the Laurentian Library designed?
1524
Michelangelo, Laurentian Library (vestibule and reading room), begun 1524, opened 1571, San Lorenzo, Florence.
What did Pope Clement Commission build Michelangelo in the library at San Lorenzo?
Pope Clement VII commissioned Michelangelo to build a library at the monastery of San Lorenzo. After the Sack of Rome left Pope Clement without the power needed to enforce Medici rule in Florence, the Medici family were expelled from the city and construction on projects at San Lorenzo ceased. 1530: Resumption of work.
Did Michelangelo work for the Medici?
Michelangelo was responsible for some of the finest works of art in Western history including “David”, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, “Pieta” and the “Last Judgement”. He was one of the greatest painters of the Renaisssance who owed his early career to the foresight of Lorenzo de’Medici.