Michelangelo's life and intellectual world discussed at Istanbul's Venetian Palace

2026-02-17 - 12:05

Italian Ambassador Giuseppe Manzo, beginning his opening speech with a quote from Michelangelo included in the book, said, "Tonight we will actually be talking about only one thing: pure genius. A genius that seeks no middle ground, that is not tested by time. On the contrary, an Italian genius that is ahead of its time." Manzo stated that after taking office, he and his colleagues developed a long-term plan that would spread to every region of Türkiye, and noted that they were working on the concept of Italian geniuses in Türkiye. In his speech, Manzo thanked Ketebe Publications and the Italian Cultural Center for their contributions to the organization, stating, "Tonight's presentation is a light for us to listen to others in the face of difficulties, to understand those around us, a light that lifts all shadows and transcends fictions." Manzo, who stated that he had recently begun his duties as ambassador, said, "Perhaps it would have been more appropriate if you had welcomed me. Because this is the second time I have set foot in this palace. It is a very exciting moment for me." "It is well known that geniuses transcend boundaries." The book's author, art historian Costantino D'Orazio, stated that Michelangelo was an artist who spoke to the human soul beyond cultures, saying, "This is not a book that describes Michelangelo from the outside, but a book that tells his story from his own perspective. It's as if Michelangelo is describing his works and his life in his own words. Therefore, it has become a rich, intense, and beautiful book." D'Orazio emphasized that Michelangelo, despite being born in Italy, possessed a universal identity, stating, "When he speaks and works, he touches upon subjects that can be understood by speakers of all languages. These are subjects open to the whole world. It is well known that genius transcends borders." The author also gave a special presentation featuring images of Michelangelo's works at the event, sharing with the participants the artist's style and work discipline, which changed according to different periods. D'Orazio, drawing attention to the artist's 500-year legacy, stated, "It is very rare in art history for a genius like Michelangelo, who created so many masterpieces throughout his entire life and for such a long period, to still be remembered and for his works to be available five centuries later." About the work "Michelangelo - An Autobiography of a Genius," translated into Turkish by Ketebe Publications, stands out as a fictional autobiography based on the final years of Michelangelo's life. The narrative, unfolding in the artist's own voice, revolves around memories, inner questioning, and creative tensions, revealing the profound relationship an artist has with life, faith, and creation. In this work, which reflects the political, intellectual, and aesthetic atmosphere of the period from a holistic perspective through the defining figures of the Renaissance, and where historical reality, literary fiction, and internal monologues are intertwined, Michelangelo is examined from different angles.