Meanings
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1
noun
art history: an awe-inspiring expression of powerful will, grandeur, and formidable or angry force, especially associated with Michelangelo's work
The commanding gaze and tense body of the sculpture exemplify Michelangelo's terribilità.
Thesaurus
Borrowed from Italian terribilità ("terribleness, capacity to inspire awe"), from terribile ("terrible, formidable") + -ità. In English art criticism it became especially associated with the immense force and intimidating grandeur of Michelangelo's art. The historical Italian spelling terribiltà is also attested.