Uncovering the Emotional Depth of Michelangelo’s Drawings
Not every artist has the opportunity to study the works of Renaissance masters like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci up close, but Sara Lee Roberts is one of the fortunate few. She has been granted a prestigious residency at the King’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace, where she will have the chance to draw and study some of the most iconic artworks in history.
The King’s Gallery residency program is a first for the gallery, and it has allowed Sara to visit Windsor Castle to draw Renaissance masterpieces held in The Royal Collection Trust. This collection is one of the largest and most important in the world, housing works by renowned artists such as Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian, Leonardo da Vinci, and others. Among the treasures in the collection is Raphael’s The Three Graces, a stunning example of Renaissance artistry.
Upon returning to her Camden studio, Sara will use her drawings as a springboard for creating contemporary works that will be showcased in the gallery. The upcoming exhibition at the King’s Gallery will feature around 160 drawings by the masters, offering visitors a unique opportunity to witness the artistic process up close. Sara and two fellow artists will spend days drawing and engaging with the public, providing insights into their creative methods and inspirations.
“I am very excited about this extraordinary opportunity,” says Sara, who is no stranger to reinterpreting old masters in her work. She has written a book on the subject and frequently draws from London’s major art collections. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael, Sara’s work is a testament to the enduring influence of these legendary artists.
When Sara draws an old master’s work, she taps into the emotions and intentions of the artist from centuries past. “I use my instincts, I don’t have a plan,” she explains. By closely observing the original drawings, Sara is able to capture not only the technical skill and quality of the artwork but also the deep emotions and feelings conveyed by the artist. She believes that by being sensitive to these nuances, one can truly connect with the essence of the original creator.
Drawing from a masterpiece like Leonardo Da Vinci’s Costume Study for a Masque, Sara describes how she can “sense the hand of the maker.” Each stroke and mark left by the artist carries a wealth of meaning and emotion, which Sara strives to capture in her own contemporary pieces. When drawing from Michelangelo’s Deposition of Dead Christ from the Cross, she felt a profound sense of love and sorrow emanating from the work, reflecting the artist’s deep connection to the human form and spirit.
As Sara creates her own art, she draws upon the same instincts and emotions that she encounters in the works of the old masters. “Something will happen, I will use an unexpected material or do something abstract to convey the feelings about the human condition that are present in those great works,” she says. By tapping into the universal themes of human experience, Sara hopes to create artwork that resonates with viewers and speaks to the timeless truths found in the Renaissance drawings.
Sara strongly believes that the great works of the past remain relevant and inspiring, and she is committed to making them accessible to all. As a tutor, she seeks to demystify the history of art and help people connect with the beauty and meaning of these masterpieces. By engaging with the public through workshops and discussions, Sara aims to remove barriers to appreciating art and foster a deeper understanding of its significance in our lives.
The upcoming exhibition at The King’s Gallery, titled “Drawing The Italian Renaissance,” promises to be a landmark event in the UK’s art world. Featuring the widest-ranging collection of Italian Renaissance drawings ever assembled, the exhibition will showcase the beauty and complexity of these timeless works. Visitors will have the opportunity to witness firsthand the emotional depth and artistic brilliance of Michelangelo, Leonardo, and their contemporaries, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Renaissance era.
In conclusion, Sara Lee Roberts’s residency at the King’s Gallery is a testament to the enduring power of art to inspire and move us. By drawing from the emotional depth of Michelangelo’s drawings and other Renaissance masterpieces, Sara creates contemporary works that resonate with viewers and speak to the universal truths of the human experience. Through her dedication to making art accessible and engaging with the public, Sara is carrying on the legacy of the old masters and ensuring that their profound insights continue to enrich our lives.
