Criticism of Michelangelo’s “Last Judgement” and the clothing added by Daniele da Volterra

Attacks on Michelangelo's fresco "The Last Judgement" on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel began while it was still being painted. The grievances were various: some disliked the treatment of the subject, others were displeased by the realistic manner of depiction. The masterpiece was called indecent. It was even proposed that the fresco be destroyed. It was said to be fit for a public bath, not for a papal chapel. Michelangelo defended his work as best he could, answering his critics wittily: some he placed in the painting in an unflattering guise, others received pointed remarks. But after the master's death it was nevertheless decided to have the painting altered. The task of correcting the genius fell to Michelangelo's pupil Daniele da Volterra, who added garments and covered the nakedness of the fresco's figures. For such meddling, however, he went down in the history of art with an insulting nickname: Il Braghettone, the breeches-painter, the pantaloon-maker, the drawers-man