Drie figuren uit Michelangelo's Laatste Oordeel 1586

This anonymous drawing on paper depicts three figures, inspired by Michelangelo's "Last Judgement". It’s held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The image offers a glimpse into the world of artistic training and the reverence for established masters. During the Renaissance, artists often learned by copying the works of renowned figures like Michelangelo. This practice was central to art education. The act of reproducing Michelangelo's figures speaks to the cultural authority he held, even after his death. Copies and interpretations circulated widely, shaping artistic taste and perpetuating the values embodied in his work. The drawing can tell us about the institutions that upheld those values. By studying the visual codes and references within the drawing, and tracing its institutional history, we gain insight into the social conditions that shaped artistic production and reception. Resources in archives, libraries, and museums can help us understand it better. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.