Michelangelo “Night” “Day” and “Giuliano de Medici's Tomb” New Sacristy in Florence

Michelangelo, Night and Day and Giuliano de Medici Duke of Nemours, New Sacristy in Florence

Giuliano de Medici Giuliano de Medici, Duke of Nemours (1479-1516), was the third born of Lorenzo the Magnificent and the brother of Pope Leo X.

He is represented as a captain, and two allegorical figures stand at his feet, day and night.

These allegories are the figures of the passing of time.

Giuliano de Medici is in antique ceremonies armour.

He is holding a command staff in his hand that should be seen as a Church staff.

Giuliano de Medici His other hand is holding a coin that symbolizes generosity.

This martial representation allows Michelangelo to idealize the military career of the young Duke, which was nevertheless very short and without particular glory.

An idealization that goes even further since the traits Michelangelo lends him has nothing to do with those of the deceased themselves.

Michelangelo's choice to represent the two dukes as Roman emperors refer to Roman antiquity's funerary elements, as does the allegories he chooses that is part of the same tradition.

A way to magnify them for eternity.

Giuliano de Medici