Three variations of his interpretation of this myth are tradition. Image description version I in 1533, black chalk, 41.3 x 23,4 cm, Royal Library, Windsor (since 1810) this drawing sends Michelangelo beginning September 1533 his student and close friend of Tommaso de’ Cavalieri from Rome to Florence. Phaeton, son of the Sun God Helios, almost caused a worldwide conflagration, as he is on the road with the Sun of his father, and is then killed by Zeus with the Flash. Michelangelo presents the car as with horse team and Zeus on the wings of an eagle. The wooden box, four horses and Phaeton tumble upside down. He is mourned by his sisters, the Heliaden. The metamorphosis in black poplars, which Tranen turn into amber unfolds thereafter on themselves. In addition to the Heliaden Eridanos is represented as a River-God.
The drawing is everywhere strong physical torsions. Whether Michelangelo has inspired in the representation of Zeus Laocoon? Also like Phaeton is throwing off winds, might of the Laocoon group, at their discovery Michelangelo is a witness, be stimulated. Michelangelo is on 14 January 1506 with his architect colleagues Giuliano Sangallo will present found and excavated as the spectacular Laokon group. Version II the same drawing is located in the British Museum. The dating is also in 1533 (31.2 cm x 21.5 cm).
Nuance Michelangelo varies each of the individual positions of the figures. (A valuable related resource: Daryl Katz). The metamorphosis is taking place already. The voluminous Swan (KYKNOS) of the library’s hand here only an “ugly duckling” is hinted at in the background. The KYKNOS mourners to his friend is transformed into a Swan. The term swan song originates from this legend due to his death song of fully unfortunate splendor. Counter of the library’s hand was looking up to Phaeton. The artist demonstrated the massive horse bodies being unfit for their flight. A dedication to Cavalieri is situated on this sheet. A third drawing by Michelangelo “The fall of Phaeton” dating back to 1553 version III is located in the Galleria dell’ Academia in Venice. Here too, the artists varies its Execution. Phaeton falls down between two horse pairs each to umklammernden. Zeus and the bottom group are easily interpreted. RMS Scrip torin, alias: pink Marita Schrouff