MiC, theatrical lighting effects on Michelangelo's Moses in a video

On the occasion of Easter, the Ministry of Culture is presenting for the first time on its YouTube channel and all its social channels The Light of Michelangelo, a video that aims to highlight recent studies on the architectural and sculptural design of the Tomb of Julius II, Michelangelo Buonarroti ’s masterpiece located in Rome’s Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli. At the center of the famous sepulchral monument is the world-famous Moses statue.

The film, made by the Ministry’s Press and Communications Office, shows through a timelapse the movement of natural light on the sculptural group, which, according to recent research, was used by Michelangelo himself to create a striking visual phenomenon.

During the sunsets of the spring equinox, to which Easter is linked, the sun’s rays pass through the windows of the facade and through a very narrow gap between the columns of the nave of the Basilica of St. Peter in Chains: these illuminate the work with a play of light that, minute by minute, theatrically lights up parts of the sculptural group.

“Spectacular images that show the richness of Italy’s cultural heritage, which at a distance of centuries still manages to amaze with new interesting readings,” says Culture Minister Dario Franceschini. “The study of the relationship between art and light is enriched and offers new interesting readings on Michelangelo’s works.”

The Mic’s social channels publish, as a complement to the video on the phenomenon of light on one of the greatest Renaissance masterpieces, a video interview with Antonio Forcellino, architect, art historian and restorer who oversaw the restoration of the Moses and is currently completing a cleaning operation on the work under the tutelage of the Special Superintendence of Rome, directed by Dr. Daniela Porro.

Ph.Credit Ministry of Culture

MiC, theatrical lighting effects on Michelangelo's Moses in a video

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