Michelangelo’s Secret Drawing Room to be Opened to the Public for the First Time in Italy

Starting from 15 November, the "secret living room" in Florence, where Michelangelo allegedly sought political asylum in 1530, will be open to the public. Visiting slots will be available for four people at a time and will last only fifteen minutes, and reservations are required.

Italian sculptor, painter, and Renaissance figure Michelangelo is one of the most famous and influential artists in the world.

The secret room was discovered in 1975 when the then director brought in a restorer to clear out what they thought was a narrow passageway. This was an attempt to create a new exit from the Medici Chapel Museum, but instead, the restorer Sabino Giovannoni found a series of drawings on the walls attributed to the Renaissance genius. The walls depict sketches of various figures and sketches made in the skilled technique associated with the artist.

In 1530, the famous artist was forced to hide from the death sentence handed down by Pope Clement VII, who was furious with Michelangelo for his active support of the new republican government that was formed after the Medici family was expelled from Florence.

The Basilica of San Lorenzo had long been suspected as the place where Michelangelo was forced to hide for two months that year. But it was only in November 1975, when the then director of the Museo delle Chapelle Medici ordered diagnostic tests and cleaning in a space located in the corridor beneath the apse of the New Sacristy, that the sketches were rediscovered.

The small room was used as a storage room until 1955 and then remained untouched for 20 years. Cleaning revealed that under the two layers of plaster was a series of drawings and sketches that were later attributed to Michelangelo.

Although it has been a controversial topic, today most scholars agree that the sketches found in this secret room were indeed made by Michelangelo. Among the figures are episodes from some of his projects, such as the feet of Giuliano de' Medici, Duke of Nemours, and the head of Laocoön, a sculpture he studied.

With varying levels of detail, the drawings provide some insight into the creative process of one of the most famous artists of all time.

Due to the fragility of the room and the art history it contains, the secret room will only be available by reservation (email: operalaboratori.com), for a maximum of four people per group, with a maximum of 100 guests per week.

Each reservation gives the visitor 15 minutes in the room, followed by a 45-minute break until the next group can enter. The limited access to the room is due to the need to combine LED light with prolonged darkness. 

The opening of this room has been carefully planned for years, and the museum has taken all measures to protect this important discovery.

As previously reported by The Gaze, a painting by the Ukrainian artist was recently sold at Sotheby's for a record-breaking sum.