Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling
About this audiobook
In 1508, despite strong advice to the contrary, the powerful Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the newly restored Sistine Chapel. With little experience as a painter (though famed for his sculpture David), Michelangelo was reluctant to begin the massive project.
Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling recounts the four extraordinary years Michelangelo spent laboring over the vast ceiling while the power politics and personal rivalries that abounded in Rome swirled around him. Battling against ill health, financial difficulties, domestic problems, the pope’s impatience, and a bitter rivalry with the brilliant young painter Raphael, Michelangelo created scenes so beautiful that they are considered one of the greatest masterpieces of all time. A panorama of illustrious figures converged around the creation of this great work—from the great Dutch scholar Desiderius Erasmus to the young Martin Luther—and Ross King skillfully weaves them through his compelling historical narrative, offering uncommon insight into the intersection of art and history.
About the author
Ross King is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling and Brunelleschi's Dome as well as several novels. Born and raised in Canada, he lives outside Oxford, England.
Alan Sklar’s theatre credits include Hamlet, King John, The Taming of the Shrew, The Seagull, and many other roles. He is an accomplished voice artist and narrator. He has narrated over 100 audiobooks and earned two AudioFile Earphones Awards. He was also named the Best Voice in Nonfiction & Culture in both 2008 and 2009 by AudioFile Magazine. Sklar’s audiobook credits include Newt Gingrich's Winning the Future, Thomas Harris's Red Dragon, Jonathan Harr's A Civil Action, and eight murder mystery novels by Lawrence Block.
