Michelangelo
FYSEMR 65W
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) is a dominant figure in the history of art and in the history of the discipline. A sculptor, architect, painter and poet, Michelangelo was the quintessential Renaissance man and embodies the paradigm of artistic genius. He was a complex figure, individual and “terrible”, who transformed the art of the Italian peninsula over the seven decades of his career.
Harvard is unique in providing the opportunity to study Michelangelo through direct encounters with original drawings by the hand of the artist, books and biographies that date to the 16th century, and through research in its superb library.
One of the goals of this seminar is to teach students to write original and nuanced essays in art history. Through weekly tasks to be completed during the second half of the seminar, students will build their final paper. Students will leave this seminar having produced an original thought on one of the most studied artists in history.
NOTE: This class will be taught in the Harvard Art Museums with visits to special collections on campus (Houghton Library) and in Boston (the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, MFA Boston).
Class Notes
First-Year Seminars are available only to first-year students. You may apply to both Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 First-Year Seminars via the FYS lottery between July 6 and August 6, 2026 at 11:59PM-midnight.
You may apply to as many seminars each term as you would like, but we recommend you apply to at least six in fall and three in spring.
As part of your application, you must provide a brief statement on why you are interested in each seminar. You will be notified of lottery results for both fall and spring seminars at 5 pm on August 11. If you are unsuccessful in the lottery, you may still join any seminar with open seats. A list of open seminars and instructions on next steps will be available on the First-Year Seminar Program website August 11 at 12 Noon.
Not Available for Cross Registration
