An artist's journey is never easy. Some found fame and immediate success, while others were only recognized and celebrated after their death. Unfortunately, many suffered from tormented souls which abruptly ended their lives. Here is a collections of artists' last pieces, some of which remain unfinished.
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Michelangelo considered himself primarily a sculptor, therefore his final piece should be nothing other than a another rendition of the Pietà, titled Rondanini Pietà, 1564. There is controversy over Michelangelo purposely leaving the statue "unfinished" which art historians argue makes it the earliest piece of "modern art." The sculpture depicts Mary and Christ melting together; Mary struggles to support the corpse of her Son. The rough surfaces glow lightly playing with shadow heightening the Pietà's emotional appeal. The Pietà is currently housed in the collection of the Castello Sforzesco in Milan, Italy.
Raphael, arguably the most profound painter during the Italian High Renaissance, was commissioned by Cardinal Giullio de Medici to paint the Transfiguration in 1517. It was originally intended to be hung in the French Cathedral of Narbonne, but now resides in the Vatican Museum. The oil on wood painting illustrates two narratives in the Gospel of Matthew. The scene in the foreground depicts the apostles trying to rid a young boy from demons. The Transfiguration of Christ is in the background; Christ is surrounded by billowing, illuminating clouds accompanied by prophets Elijah and Moses. Raphael died in 1520 at the age of 37, and his painting leaves a legacy of the emerging Mannerist and Baroque styles. The highly stylized, contorted figures indicate Mannerism, while the use of chiaroscuro coupled with exaggerated emotion and drama elude to the Baroque period.
In the late 16th century, Titian was a very popular painter, highly requested by both the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, and Spanish King, Philip II. In the late 1550s-1570s, Titian revised his painting style - he developed a freer use of the brush and focused on loosely representing reality. The Pietà was created as an "ex voto offering" - a prayer for Titian's and his son's (Orazio) survival during the Venetian Plague outbreak. Immediately below lion's mouth on the right, there is a tablet featuring Titian and Orazio praying to the Virgin for her protection over them. Titian paints himself as Nicodemus, crawling to touch Christ's body. There is an overwhelming sense of dread and fear as the painting's darkness explores the closeness of death. Unfortunately, Titian and Orazio were both taken by the Plague. The painting was originally intended to be hung above Titian's tomb in the Church of Frari, but it is now displayed in the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice.
Rembrandt, a renowned Protestant artist in the 17th century, dabbled with painting, etching, drawing, and self-portraiture. Aside from his success, Rembrandt suffered from bankruptcy, the loss of his wife and children, as well as, failing eyesight. His sudden death at the age of 63 prompted the finding of his final painting, Simeon with the Christ Child in the Temple (a passage from the Gospel of Luke). The unfinished canvas was found in his studio sitting atop his easel. Rembrandt had painted this biblical subject twice before; the earlier works are richly detailed and the figures are bathed in a bright light. His final treatment of the subject, however, is more subdued. The colors are muted; there is no drama of light and shadow; and there are no arresting details. Art historians concluded that Rembrandt did not intend for this subject to be his final painting.