I really enjoyed the book. Iirc, it's accessible but not dumb, and really did make me completely reevaluate my read of the latter part of Michelangelo's career/life

If you want a popularized & accessible, but quite good, account of one of these premodern projects, and the intersection of artistry, political maneuvering, practical creativity, and--yes--application & adaptation of cultural patterns, i recommend: