Active life

Michelangelo the Younger commissionated to Domenico Pieratti the execution of two sculptures, in order to put them in the alcoves above the doors of the Gallery’s North wall. The subjects chosen by Michelangelo the Younger should represent the two extremes of Michelangelo’s artistic activity: the Contemplative Life seen as the speculation and the Active life seen as the work. The Active life, placed in the right alcove, consists in a naked youth holding a laurel wreath; the pose of the figure reminds that of Apollo, subject initially planned for this location.