A blessed soul lifted to heaven, after Michelangelo's 'The Last Judgment' fresco in the Sistine Chapel

Art Historical Context

In the grand fresco *The Last Judgment* (1536–1541) on the Sistine Chapel altar wall, Michelangelo Buonarroti the dramatic resurrection of souls on Judgment Day, blending awe-inspiring muscular male nudes with divine drama. This 1591 engraving by Cherubino Albertialso known as Zaccaria Mattia) a poignant detail: a blessed soul being lifted toward heaven by angels, showcasing Michelangelo's masterful anatomy and emotional intensity. Alberti, a prominent Roman engraver of the late 16th century, faithfully reproduced such iconic scenes, making High Renaissance masterpieces accessible beyond the Vatican's walls. Printed on a modest sheet measuring 16 9/16 × 9 inches, this work exemplifies engraving's precision—incising lines into a copper plate for rich tonal contrasts and intricate details like flowing drapery and dynamic poses. A subtle coat of arms adds a personal or dedicatory touch, common in period prints. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Elisha Whittelsey Collection, 1959), it highlights how reproductive prints fueled the dissemination of Michelangelo's revolutionary style during the Mannerist era, bridging sacred art with emerging print culture. Visitors will appreciate how this piece distills the fresco's sublime energy into an intimate format, inviting reflection on salvation and human form.

About the Artist

Cherubino Alberti (Zaccaria Mattia)|Michelangelo Buonarroti · 1553–1615

Cherubino Alberti (1553–1615), also known by his birth name Zaccaria Mattia, was an Italian engraver and painter active in Rome during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. Born in Borgo San Sepolcro in Tuscany, he came from an artistically inclined family and received training that equipped him for work in both painting and the reproductive graphic arts. It was as a printmaker, however,...