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Saint Gregory

Saint Gregory is a marble sculpture by Michelangelo, about 126 cm high, executed around 1501–1504. It is placed in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Siena, within the Piccolomini Altar complex. The statue was made for the Piccolomini series and is considered one of the more modest works in that group, likely because it was intended for a narrow niche. The figure shows a contraposto pose and a slightly reclined head to the left, creating a sense of pathos. The saint and pope wears a tiara and holds a large book, apparently presented to the viewer. The drapery is varied but ordinary in effect, lacking the strong chiaroscuro seen in the related San Paolo.

Saint Gregory marble statue in an ornate arched niche, holding a large book and wearing a papal tiara.
Saint Gregory shown as a marble statue within an elaborate arched monument in Siena Cathedral.
© · CC BY 3.0
White marble statue of Saint Gregory in a decorative niche, holding a book and stylus and wearing a pointed tiara.
Saint Gregory shown as a white marble statue in the Piccolomini altar at Siena Cathedral.
February 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Saint Gregory marble statue holding a book, set in a sculpted niche with a shell-like dome.
Saint Gregory shown as a white marble statue in a decorative niche, holding a book against his chest.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
Saint Gregory stone sculpture of a robed figure holding a closed book in a carved niche with floral columns.
Saint Gregory depicted as a robed stone sculpture with a book, set in an ornately carved niche.
April 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
White marble statue of Saint Gregory in a carved alcove, holding an open book and wearing a miter.
Saint Gregory appears as a white marble statue in the Siena Cathedral’s Piccolomini Altar.
July 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleSaint Gregory I
Typemarble sculpture
SubjectSaint Gregory I (Pope Gregory I)
Original titleSan Gregorio

Historical context

Planned completion dateby 1504
Previous assigned artistPietro Torrigiani
Completed statuesOnly four statues were completed: Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Gregory I, and Saint Pius I
Reason previous artist leftHe abandoned the commission after carving one statue
Number originally commissioned15 statues
Commissioned forthe Piccolomini altar in Siena Cathedral
Commission date1501
Date createdc. 1501–1504

Creator

ArtistMichelangelo Buonarroti
Artist nationality / professionItalian sculptor and painter

Discovery and provenance

Place of workFlorence
Delivery methodSent from Florence
Production paceAbout one statue per year
Use of assistantsExtensive use of assistants
Work periodUntil 1504

Physical characteristics

Height126 cm

Materials

MaterialMarble

Appearance

Figure qualityPossibly the weakest figure in the Piccolomini statues series
Reason for quality assessmentProbably due to heavy use of assistants
PoseContrapposto
DraperyVaried and unschematic, but rather ordinary
Head positionHead slightly tilted to the left

Iconography and meaning

DepictionSaint Gregory wears a tiara and holds a large book shown toward the viewer
Expressive effectConveys a certain pathos
Comparative stylistic noteLacks the expressive chiaroscuro effects seen in the Saint Paul of the same series

Location and ownership

Current locationCathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Siena, Italy
PlacementWithin the Piccolomini Altar complex, in relatively narrow niches
Associated chapelPiccolomini Chapel in Siena Cathedral
SeriesPiccolomini statues

History and restoration

Scholarly interpretationSymonds suggested Michelangelo may have finished the statue of Saint Francis after Pietro Torrigiano, but the extent of Michelangelo's contribution to the other statues is uncertain
Interpretive contextThe Piccolomini statues appear more modest than other works completed earlier by Michelangelo, probably also because of their confined niche spaces
Scholarly assessmentSymonds did not consider it important to investigate the issue further
Commission contextMichelangelo signed a contract to make the statues for the altar
Scholarly interpretationLawrence Jencken(s) suggested Michelangelo may have regarded these works as products of his youth and haste
Early biographical mentionNeither Giorgio Vasari nor Ascanio Condivi mention these works by Michelangelo
Sketch requirementBefore starting work, Michelangelo had to provide paper sketches of the statues showing their clothing and gestures so additions or removals could be made as needed

Significance

Career contextAt the time, Michelangelo was becoming famous and moving toward much larger projects, including the David

Other

Related commissionAndrea Bregno, early 1480s
Source conditionMichelangelo's own contribution to the other statues is uncertain