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Which later artists were influenced by Michelangelo’s treatment of anatomy and unfinished marble?
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Michelangelo
An engraving of Michelangelo derived from a portrait of the artist by Jacopino del Conte after 1535.
Michelangelo’s influence on later artists was often specific rather than comprehensive, as his style was considered so grand that it could be inhibiting to his successors.1
Regarding his treatment of anatomy and unfinished marble:
- Anatomical Drawing: In the 17th century, Michelangelo was widely regarded as the supreme master of anatomical drawing, and his expertise in this area served as a primary model for later artists.1
- Unfinished Marble: The 19th-century master Auguste Rodin is noted for having specifically exploited the aesthetic effect of Michelangelo’s unfinished marble blocks.1
While many Mannerist artists, such as Bartolommeo Ammannati, Baccio Bandinelli, and Giambologna, were influenced by his serpentine poses and figural complexity, others like Daniele da Volterra showed a more total dependence on his style. By the mid-16th century, artists such as Benvenuto Cellini were among the few who successfully assimilated his pervasive influence into their own work.213