The European Renaissance period covered the period from the 14th to the 17th century. It was a fascinating moment in the history of the European continent. Western civilization was transformed and great artists were born, but there were also frequent struggles between the Catholic Church, artists, scientists, kings, queens and those with power and money.
Being a talented artist had its merits and demerits. One person whose work is praised on some occasions was the great painter Michelangelo (1475 - 1564).
Known for its beautiful frescoes, Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel between 1508 and 1512. This Renaissance masterpiece is one of Michelangelo's most famous works. Some researchers who have studied this work of art suggest that Michelangelo hid secret messages in the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
It is also believed that Michelangelo inserted hidden pagan symbols associated with female anatomy into his famous work in the Medici chapel.
The Medici were not only influential godfathers of the Renaissance, but also patrons of the Church and many artists. A very wealthy family, they gained control of most of Florence.
At one time, there was a vague distinction between science and magic. Many famous scholars were very interested in the occult, and the church was annoyed.
The Catholic Church was constantly challenged and fought to stay strong. Although the Medici family was the patron saint of the famous Galileo, they could not protect him from arrest.
Catherine de Medici shared her family's immense love for art. She was also interested in astronomy, astrology, architecture, and it was rumored that she was fascinated by occult lore. She was a great supporter of Nostradamus (1503 - 1566). A devout Catholic all his life, Nostradamus relied on biblical allusions and prophecies. Nostradamus managed to maintain good relations with the Church, but Michelangelo was not so lucky.
Promotional video:
The Medici Chapel in Florence, Italy, where Michelangelo worked on the New Sacristy at the request of Cardinal Giulio Medici, was to become a mausoleum for the Medici family.
It was only much later that it was discovered that the building also became a hiding place for some of his works.
In 1529, Michelangelo joined the many inhabitants of Florence who were tired of the dominant Medici family and the Pope.
Pope Clement VII was unhappy with Michelangelo, who at the time was working to help fortify the city walls against the Medici-friendly forces led by the Pope himself.
It took the Medici pope and family ten months to win the battle against enemies who were immediately punished. When the Florentine Republic fell in August, troops were ordered to arrest Michelangelo and imprison him in Bargello Prison and then in the city prison.
Three months before the end of the conflict, Michelangelo managed to find shelter, so he was not punished for his rebellion against the Italian authorities.
In November 1530, the Pope and the Medici family announced that Michelangelo could return and finish his work on the chapel. They promised that he would not be punished.
Michelangelo emerged from his hiding place and was once again on good terms with the Medici family.
But where has he been hiding all these months? Michelangelo's cache remained a secret for almost 500 years. Most thought that the great artist took refuge in a church tower.
However, this was not the case. Ironically, Michelangelo decided to hide in a place where no one expected to find him - in the Medici chapel!
A snapshot of the interior of the Cappella dei Principi taken in the 19th century - Photo: Public domain.
In 1976, the director of the Medici Chapel Museum discovered a very small secret room where the walls were covered with 180 unknown sketches.
It soon became clear that Michelangelo, one of the greatest painters of the Renaissance, had been sitting in the dark for three months, sketching with charcoal and crayon.
Many of Michelangelo's drawings are larger than life-size.
The room in which Michelangelo spent three months rarely opens today. It can sometimes be visited, but keep in mind that the place is so small that only 12 people are allowed every half hour.