I've recently finished reading Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling by Ross King. It tells the story of how the famous Renaissance artist was commissioned to create the stunning frescos on the Sistine Chapel. It provides a detailed account of the creatioin of this masterpiece, including all the fairly mundane aspects involved in creating such art. Ross King balances the character of Michelangelo with that of Raphael, who was also active in Rome at the same time as the ceiling was being frescoed. Raphael is an excellent contrast to the somewhat cantankerous Michelangelo. And the third principal in this story is Pope Julius II, who commissioned both of them, and is off warring across Italy for most of the story.

It's a well told tale. King is a excellent teller of Renaissance histories - I cannot recommend enough his Bookseller of Florence. He's also done a couple of other set pieces based around Renaissnace creations - one on Brunelleschi's Dome in Florence, and another on Leonardo's Last Supper. All are to be recommended.

(As as aside, I also read his novel Ex Libris, which is a bibliomystery set in the early days of the 17th century in Europe - sadly, whilst the first half of this is entertaining, it fades a bit towards the end...)