Body and Spirit in Michelangelo: Art, Theology, and the Human Form
20 February 2027
10:00am-5:00pm
Rewley House 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA
Event status:
Applications being accepted
Dates:
20 February 2027
Study Format:
In-person day/weekend
Fees:
£90.00
How does the human body manifest beauty, suffering, and the search for meaning? In this richly illustrated one-day event, we will explore how Michelangelo used the human form to express some of the Renaissance's most profound ideas. From the idealized strength of David to the spiritual drama of the Sistine Chapel, we will discover how his art unites classical ideals, Christian theology, and the artist's personal reflections.
Throughout the day, we will examine key works from different stages of Michelangelo's career. We will reflect on how the body is presented as a reflection of divine beauty, a space of tension between flesh and soul, and, in his later works, a powerful expression of spiritual longing. You will also be introduced to key themes such as creation, incarnation, grace, and resurrection, and see how these shaped Renaissance artistic practice. Designed for students of all levels, this event will provide you with new tools for observing art more closely and reflecting on how the human body can express spiritual meaning.
Please note: this event will close to enrolments at 23:59 on 17 February 2027.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Accommodation
If you wish to stay with us before and/or after the event, please contact our Residential Centre for availability and discounted rates.
Call +44 (0) 1865 270362 or email res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk
Our accommodation in Wellington Square has been rated as 4-Star Campus Accommodation under Visit England. All bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished with tea/coffee making facilities, Freeview television, private bath/shower rooms and free WiFi. For more details see our accommodation information.
Recommended reading
Fenichel, Emily A., Michelangelo’s Art of Devotion in the Age of Reform, 1st ed. (Cambridge ; Cambridge University Press, 2023).
Multiple Authors, Michelangelo, 1st ed. (New York: Parkstone International, 2005).
Wallace, William E, and Buonarroti, M., Michelangelo : The Artist, the Man, and His Times (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010).
Programme details
9.45am
Registration
10am
The Ideal Body – Beauty, Proportion, and the Divine
We begin with Michelangelo’s vision of the ideal human form, exploring David and early works in relation to classical sculpture and Renaissance ideas of beauty.
11.15am
Tea/coffee break
11.45am
Flesh and Soul – Struggle in the Non-finito Works
We examine unfinished sculptures such as the Prisoners, considering how the tension between body and spirit becomes central to Michelangelo’s artistic language.
1pm
Lunch break
2pm
Creation and Drama – The Sistine Chapel Ceiling
A close look at the Sistine Chapel, focusing on the Creation scenes and the expressive power of the human body in conveying theological meaning.
3.15pm
Tea/coffee break
3.45pm
Suffering and Transformation – The Pietà and Late Works
We conclude with Michelangelo’s treatment of suffering, grace, and spiritual longing in the Pietà and his late sculptures and drawings.
5pm
End of day
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Event fee (includes tea/coffee) | £90.00 |
| Baguette lunch | £7.90 |
| Hot lunch (two-course) | £22.40 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Payment
Please see the terms and conditions for our open-access courses.
Joaquin Cruz Lamas – Tutor
Joaquín Cruz Lamas teaches History of Art at the University of Oxford and has taught Philosophy at King’s College London and Universidad Panamericana, Mexico. He did an MA in Christianity and the Arts at King’s College London and has recently completed a doctorate in Theology and Religious Studies on sacred architecture, Marian devotion, and religious identity in colonial Mexico. His research focuses on the intersections of theology, philosophy, and visual culture, and he is currently developing a project on the devotional practices related to the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Please use the ‘Book’ button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.
Image credit: Michaelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling. Photo by Dennis G. Jarvis – Italy-3214, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64848389
