The blog has moved! Discover the latest Getty news and stories at our new home on Getty.edu/news.

art history

Why Did Michelangelo Use Red Chalk?
Studies of the upper body of a man and separate studies of an arm, a hand and an ear; sketch of a tree, 1511–1512, Michelangelo Buonarroti. Two shades of red chalk, some black chalk, 9 15/16 × 8 1/16 in. Teylers Museum, Haarlem, purchased in 1790. Image © Teylers Museum, Haarlem

Why Did Michelangelo Use Red Chalk?

The artist used the medium to shape the human form.

Read More