Design for Julius II tomb (second version) 1540

This is Michelangelo’s design for the tomb of Julius II, a brown ink drawing which is currently held at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Michelangelo was pre-eminently a sculptor, with his works characterized by great physical energy. This drawing embodies a vision of the tomb on a monumental scale, with multiple tiers and figurative sculptures. In this design, the sheer scale of the project is what’s most impressive; not only the physical imposition of the monument, but also the labor required to realize it. Michelangelo was known for his mastery of marble carving, using tools such as chisels and rasps to work away at the stone and reveal the form within. But in the end, the tomb was never completed to the grandiose scale of the original design. That disconnect – between the drawing and the possible object – makes it a potent document of artistic intention, and also of the realities of production, including time, budget, and the availability of skilled labor.