Michelangelo’s Secret Chamber of Drawings Opens to the Public:
Michelangelo, one of the greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance, is best known for his masterpieces such as the statue of David, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and the tombs of the Medici family. But few people know that he also left behind a hidden treasure in a secret underground room, where he hid from the wrath of Pope Clement VII and sketched on the walls with charcoal and wooden sticks.
The secret room, also known as the Stanza Segreta, is located beneath the Medici Chapels in the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence, the same place where Michelangelo designed and decorated the tombs of the powerful Medici family. The room was discovered in 1975 by museum officials who were looking for a new exit for tourists. They found a trapdoor under a wardrobe that led to a 10-foot wide chamber, covered with two layers of plaster. Underneath the plaster, they were astonished to find dozens of drawings that resembled Michelangelo’s style and motifs.
Video source: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/michelangelo-secret-room-museum-of-medici-chapels-2387647
The drawings, which date back to 1530, depict various scenes and figures, such as a crucifixion, a Pietà, a Madonna and Child, a self-portrait, and some of his famous sculptures. They are believed to be the work of Michelangelo, who hid in the room for about two months after he was sentenced to death by Pope Clement VII, a member of the Medici family. The pope was angry at Michelangelo for supporting a rebellion against the Medici rule, which had expelled the family from Florence in 1527. Michelangelo was the head of fortifications for the short-lived republican government, which resisted the siege of the imperial and papal troops.
Michelangelo was saved by the intervention of the Prior of San Lorenzo, Giovan Battista Figiovanni, who offered him refuge in the secret room, which had a small window where he could see the feet of passersby. The artist spent his time in isolation, drawing on the walls and reflecting on his past works. He also wrote some letters and poems, expressing his fear, guilt, and despair. He later burned some of his writings, leaving behind traces of ashes and smoke on the walls.
The secret room was closed to the public for preservation purposes, until now. Thanks to the Bargello Museum, which manages the Medici Chapels, the room is finally open for visitors to admire the rare and intimate glimpses of Michelangelo’s genius and soul. The access is limited to four people at a time, and only for a few minutes, to ensure the conservation of the precious drawings. The room is also equipped with LED lights and sensors, which alternate periods of exposure and darkness.
The secret room is a unique and fascinating place, where art and history meet. It is a testimony of Michelangelo’s extraordinary talent, as well as his human fragility. It is a place where he left his mark, not only on the walls, but also on the world.
You can visit this room for the first time ever from November 15, 2023 to March 30, 2024. Book your tickets soon, as they are very limited and the room is very small. Don’t miss this chance to see the master’s sketches!
The KTruth