Michelangelo's Drawings in the New Sacristy Medici in Florence

It was by pure chance, in 1975 and on the occasion of work in the new sacristy to create an additional exit route for visitors, that Michelangelo's wall drawings were discovered under two layers of white paint.

Michelangelo's Drawings Forty-seven sketches and studies by Michelangelo's hand were thus found.

It is known that during the critical days of the assault on Florence in 1530, which marked the return of the Medici to power, Michelangelo, fearing for his life, took refuge in San Lorenzo.

These drawings would probably have been made during this period when Michelangelo would have been hiding here.

We know that Michelangelo had nothing to fear from the Medici, who, contrary to his fears, held him in high esteem enough to protect him.

Still, in such moments of civil war, the artist preferred to avoid any unnecessary peril.

So much the better for us!

Michelangelo's Drawings