Have just come back from the British Museum and their latest exhibition, Michaelangelo Drawings: Closer to the Master. The exhibition is a chronological collection of Michaelangelo’s sketches. Each step takes you behind the masterpieces to the numerous drafts and drawings he made before putting the final piece together. There is even an interactive part of the exhibit where on computer touch screens you can choose a particular sketch and see how separate parts of a sketch eventually fit into a whole.

It is clear to see why Michaelangelo is, if not the most admired, at least one of the most admired artists of all time. Just to see in close-up the intricate detail contained in his sketches was just mind-blowing. His mastery of the anatomy of man in particular was something to be seen. So for that I guess going to the exhibition was worth the trip.

The only thing I have to say is that the exhibition was absolutely packed. Not sure if it had anything to do with our session being the last for the day but there was very little room to manouveur. The area for the exhibition is very small and I don’t think very well planned. There is also a lot of text, which is great, but caused a lot of traffic jams as people crowded around to read, what felt like to me, every single darn word! If you want to go, you’ll definitely have to buy your tickets in advance. I would enter as late as your ticket allows (you have a ten minute window to do so) or maybe hang around and just wait for people to progress through the exhibition before you go through yourself. This way you can walk around at your leisure and take your time to admire the sketches without being banged into or banging into others.

Overall, if you like your art you should probably make an effort to go see the exhibition. Otherwise save your money to put towards a trip to see the “real” thing at the Sistine Chapel.