Michelangelo's Oeuvre
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Michelangelo's project for the façade and cupola of St. Peter's, the Vatican. Engraving, 1547. Though the dome was completed, the façade we now see is not the one drawn by the great artist. Bernini tried to carry out the original project, but the smaller cupolas proved to be to heavy, causing the façade to sink. They were hastily removed to avoid further damage. The present façade, too wide and tending to hide the dome, is by Carlo Maderno. Bernini designed St. Peter's Square bearing this in mid and, with his genius, managed to counter the effect caused by Maderno's work.