s dubbed the "breeches-maker") a decade later, as the cultural climate became more conservative. Michelangelo painted his own image in the flayed skin *images/flayed.jpg* of St. Bartholomew. Although he was also given another painting commission, the decoration of the Pauline Chapel in the 1540s, his main energies were directed toward architecture during this phase of his life. Michelangelo, The Architect The Campidoglio In 1538-39 plans were under way for the remodeling of the buildings surrounding the Campidoglio (Capitol) on the Capitoline Hill *http://www.tulane.edu/lester/images/Renaissance/Italian.Renaissance/L48.jpg*, the civic and political heart of the city of Rome. Although Michelangelo's program was not carried out until the late 1550s and not finished until the 17th century, he designed the Campidoglio around an oval shape, with the famous antique bronze equestrian statue of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius in the center. For the Palazzo dei Conservatori he brought a new unity to the public building faade, at the same time that he preserved traditional Roman monumentality. St. Peter's Basilica Michelangelo's crowning achievement as an architect was his work at St. Peter's Basilica *http://www.christusrex.org/www1/citta/B-Pietro.jpg*, where he was made chief architect in 1546. The building was being constructed according to Donato Bramante's plan, but Michelangelo ultimately became responsible for the altar end of the building on the exterior and for the final form of its dome. Michelangelo was now in his seventies. However he accepted this mighty responsibility, maybe the heaviest he ever had to carry upon his shoulders. The Pope's persistent demands were perhaps not the main reason why he accepted the burden: first of all, he considered it as a duty and a mission entrusted to him by God. He had served popes all his life, and he wished to dedicate his last years to serving God. Thus, he wrote to his nephew Lionardo: "Many b...
