Michelangelo's Last Judgment; UVA - Work that unsettled me

Thanks in advance, please be critical!
What work of art, music, science, mathematics, or literature has surprised, unsettled, or challenged you, and in what way? (250 words)

Let me be frank, I took European History for the wars. I definitely did NOT enroll for the philosophy, politics, and especially not the art. But that all changed the day we discussed Michelangelo's Last Judgment, a masterpiece that is one of the most, unsettling and thought provoking things I have ever laid eyes on.

I felt an immediate reaction to the work, and the more I studied it the deeper my response became. I realized that Michelangelo painted his soul onto the canvas, with painstaking attention to detail and personal insignias throughout. He was sixty-two years old and dozens of masterpieces into his career, yet it is clear he poured his life into this four-year project. As I reflected on my own reaction to his work, I recognized the most unsettling thing was that I have very seldom felt that level of dedication, passion, and flare that Michelangelo must have felt while he was creating his masterpiece.

Yet, I long to find that feeling, I yearn for it. I am searching for my own passions, not only because I am happiest when I am engaged in something I truly care about, but also because I believe passion (either the presence or absence) is clear in your acts and works. It is important to me that people can see my passion reflected in my works, and that is why at UVA, I hope to discover and develop my passions, wherever they might take me.

Overall good essay!

Just a few suggestions:

a masterpiece that is one of the most,unsettling and thought provoking things I have ever laid eyes on. Omit the comma between "most" and "unsettling"

I recognizedthatthe most unsettling thing was that I have very seldom felt that level of dedication, passion, and flare that Michelangelo must have felt while he was creating his masterpiece.

(either the presence or absenceof )

Good luck with admissions!

Michelangelo's masterpiece work, the Last Judgment, is the one that I experience the most unsettling and thought provoking feelings as I set eyes on it.


I feel you should tackle the "unsettled" part a bit more specifically.... how did it unsettle your mind? what way?
I think it is more about expressing your passion through your works, isn't it?