Fine Art

Design for an Equestrian Statue of Henry II of France — History & Facts

In 1559 Catherine de Medici commissioned Michelangelo to create a monument with an equestrian statue for her husband, who had died in a tournament. However, it was never realized due to the death of the artist and of the assistant who was to take on the work. This sketch focuses mainly on the monumental pedestal (base).

Its shape is derived from a design that the great master had made about fifty years earlier.

More Artworks by Michelangelo

A muscular female figure in an orange robe twists her body holding a massive open book above her head, with a young attendant seated behind her.

Libyan Sibyl

Michelangelo

An elderly man with a white beard sits in profile reading a large open book, with two youthful figures behind him and architectural elements around.

Prophet Zechariah

Michelangelo

A seated woman in orange and blue drapery with a white turban reads a large book on her knees, seated on an architectural throne flanked by sculpted figures.

Cumaean Sibyl

Michelangelo

A reclining nude male figure stretches his left arm toward an older bearded man in white robes surrounded by youthful figures, their fingers nearly touching.

The Creation of Adam

Michelangelo

The Doni Tondo by Michelangelo depicts the Holy Family in a circular format.

Doni Tondo

Michelangelo

A fresco showing Christ at the center surrounded by over 300 muscular figures in dynamic, agitated poses, with angels, saints, and souls rising or falling.

The Last Judgment

Michelangelo

A powerful figure with raised arms and a white beard emerges from swirling bands of light and shadow, wearing a deep rose and mauve garment with visible cracks on the fresco surface.

Separation of Light from Darkness

Michelangelo

Two large male figures nearly touching hands dominate the scene, surrounded by smaller figures and architectural details.

The Separation of the Earth and Waters

Michelangelo

A seated woman in a white garment with a coral bodice holds an open book, surrounded by two youthful figures and monochrome reliefs in an architectural setting.

Erythraean Sibyl

Michelangelo

A woman in a rose and green robe cradles a child, seated beside a man in a white headcloth and orange sash, set against a mauve lunette background.

Salmon, Boaz, Obed

Michelangelo

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More Drawing Art

A study sheet by Leonardo da Vinci showcasing various sketches and ideas.

Sheet of Studies

Leonardo da Vinci

A sheet showing a faint profile of an old man’s head at the lower left and detailed brown ink mechanical studies at the upper right.

Head of an Old Man, and Studies of Machinery

Leonardo da Vinci

Study of a woman's head and shoulder, paper drawing by Rafaël

Study of the Head and Left Shoulder of a Woman

Rafaël

Etching by Rembrandt van Rijn of a figure drawing from a cast, illuminated by soft light

Man drawing from a cast

Rembrandt van Rijn

Drawing by Albrecht Dürer depicting a musician sketching a lute on paper

Tekenaar tekent een luit

Albrecht Dürer

Drawing on paper by Albrecht Dürer depicting a woman being sketched by an artist

Een tekenaar tekent een vrouw

Albrecht Dürer

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