Michelangelo

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, known simply as Michelangelo, was an Italian artist who lived from 6 March 1475 to 18 February 1564. He was one of the greatest artists of the High Renaissance and could work as a sculptor, painter, architect, and even a poet. Michelangelo was born in the Republic of Florence but spent much of his career in Rome.

He became famous very early in his life. Two of his most famous sculptures, the Pietà and David, were made before he turned 30. Even though he did not think of himself as a painter, Michelangelo painted two very important frescoes: the scenes from Genesis on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and The Last Judgment on the altar wall. He also designed buildings, including the Laurentian Library and St. Peter's Basilica.

Michelangelo was called "Il Divino," meaning "the divine one," because people were in awe of his art. His style influenced many other artists and helped start a new art movement called Mannerism. He is remembered as one of the most talented and well-known artists in history.

Early life and career

Michelangelo was born on March 6, 1475, in a small town near Arezzo in Tuscany, Italy. His family had once been bankers in Florence, but they faced financial difficulties. His father worked as a local administrator when Michelangelo was born.

Soon after his birth, Michelangelo’s family moved back to Florence, where he grew up. After his mother passed away when he was young, he lived with a nanny and her husband, a stonecutter, in Settignano. There, he developed a love for working with marble.

As a young boy, Michelangelo studied grammar in Florence but preferred copying paintings and spending time with artists. Florence was a major center for art and learning during the Renaissance. He became an apprentice to a master painter, Domenico Ghirlandaio, at age 13. Later, he attended a special academy where he met important philosophers and writers. During this time, he created early sculptures like the "Madonna of the Stairs" and the "Battle of the Centaurs."

Michelangelo’s career took him to various cities, including Bologna and Rome. In Rome, he sculpted the famous "Pietà," showing the Virgin Mary holding Jesus after his crucifixion. He later returned to Florence, where he created his most famous sculpture, the statue of David, symbolizing Florentine strength and freedom.

Michelangelo also began work on a grand tomb for Pope Julius II, which took many years to complete. During this time, he painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, creating famous scenes from the Bible, including the "Creation of Adam."

Later, Michelangelo worked on projects for the Medici family in Florence, designing buildings and creating sculptures for their chapel. He also helped defend Florence when it faced threats.

Moving back to Rome, Michelangelo painted "The Last Judgment" in the Sistine Chapel, showing Christ judging people after they die. He also worked on architecture, including designing the layout for Capitoline Hill and working on St. Peter’s Basilica. His design for the dome of St. Peter’s became one of the greatest achievements of the Renaissance.

Personal life

Michelangelo was a strong believer in his faith as a Catholic, especially as he grew older. He joined a group called the Secular Franciscan Order along with the artist Raphael.

He lived simply, often saying he didn’t need much. Though he was quite wealthy, he dressed and lived modestly. Some who knew him thought he was very private and kept to himself.

Michelangelo wrote many poems, including some that expressed deep feelings for other men. One of his closest friends was a young man named Tommaso dei Cavalieri, whom he met when he was older. They shared many artistic discussions and Michelangelo created beautiful drawings for him. Their friendship remained strong until Michelangelo's passing.

He also had a respected friendship with a poet named Vittoria Colonna, exchanging thoughtful poems about deep, spiritual topics.

Works

Main articles: List of works by Michelangelo and Michelangelo Buonarroti catalogue raisonné

Madonna and Child

The Madonna of the Stairs is Michelangelo's earliest known work in marble. It shows the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus in a simple, flat style. The Taddei Tondo from 1502 shows Jesus being startled by a bird, which symbolizes his later suffering. The Madonna of Bruges shows Mary holding Jesus as he prepares to step into the world. The Doni Tondo combines elements from his earlier works, showing the Holy Family with a circular shape and lively forms.

The _[Madonna of the Stairs](/wiki/Madonna_of_the_Stairs)_ (1490–1492)

The _[Taddei Tondo](/wiki/Taddei_Tondo)_ (1502)

_[Madonna of Bruges](/wiki/Madonna_of_Bruges)_ (1504)

The _[Doni Tondo](/wiki/Doni_Tondo)_ (1504–1506)

Male figure

The Angel is an early work showing a strong, winged figure. Bacchus shows the god of wine with traditional symbols but with a realistic, unsteady look. The Dying Slave and Rebellious Slave show figures struggling to break free, influencing later artists. The Atlas Slave is another figure from these series, showing someone trying to escape from stone.

_[Angel](/wiki/Angel_\(Michelangelo\))_ by Michelangelo, early work (1494–95)

_[Bacchus](/wiki/Bacchus_\(Michelangelo\))_ by Michelangelo, early work (1496–1497)

_[Dying Slave](/wiki/Dying_Slave)_, [Louvre](/wiki/Louvre) (1513)

_[Atlas Slave](/wiki/Atlas_Slave)_ (1530–1534)

Sistine Chapel ceiling

Main article: Sistine Chapel ceiling

The Sistine Chapel ceiling was painted between 1508 and 1512. Michelangelo painted nine panels showing stories from the Bible, set in a framed design. He replaced the planned apostles with prophets and wise women who foretold the arrival of the Messiah. One famous image is The Creation of Adam. Michelangelo also painted supporting figures, called "ignudi", and included self-portraits among the prophets.

Studies for _The Libyan Sibyl_

_The Libyan Sibyl_ (1511)

_The Prophet Jeremiah_ (1511)

_Ignudo_

Figure compositions

The Battle of the Centaurs relief shows many figures in a lively fight, using bold shapes. The Battle of Cascina painting, known from copies, shows soldiers preparing for battle with many different poses. In The Last Judgment, Michelangelo shows people rising to heaven or falling down, using dramatic angles. The Crucifixion of St. Peter shows soldiers and onlookers around the dying saint.

_[Battle of the Centaurs](/wiki/Battle_of_the_Centaurs_\(Michelangelo\))_ (1492)

Copy of the lost _[Battle of Cascina](/wiki/Battle_of_Cascina)_ by [Bastiano da Sangallo](/wiki/Bastiano_da_Sangallo)

_[The Last Judgment](/wiki/The_Last_Judgment_\(Michelangelo\))_, detail of the Redeemed (see whole image above)

_[The Crucifixion of St. Peter](/wiki/The_Crucifixion_of_St._Peter_\(Michelangelo\))_

Architecture

Michelangelo designed many buildings, though some were not finished. He worked on the Medici Chapel and tombs in Florence. He also designed the Laurentian Library, with a unique staircase. He completed St Peter's Basilica in Rome, simplifying earlier designs to create a strong, unified whole.

Final years

In his later years, Michelangelo created several sculptures called Pietàs, showing Mary with Jesus. The Rondanini Pietà was unfinished at his death. Michelangelo passed away in Rome in 1564 and was buried in Florence, as he wished.

Legacy

Michelangelo, along with Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael, is considered one of the greatest artists of the Florentine High Renaissance. Though they are often mentioned together, Michelangelo was younger than Leonardo and older than Raphael. He did not work closely with them and lived much longer than both.

Michelangelo's art influenced many artists, sculptors, and architects for generations. His famous statue David is well-known, but other works like Victory and the Bruges Madonna also had a big impact. His designs for buildings, such as the Laurentian Library and St. Peter's Cathedral, introduced new ways of using classical styles. The dome of St. Peter's Cathedral inspired many churches and public buildings for centuries, including Sant'Andrea della Valle in Rome and St Paul's Cathedral in London.

Artists like Raphael and Pontormo were inspired by Michelangelo's powerful styles and techniques. The Sistine Chapel ceiling, with its grand designs and detailed figures, became a model for many Baroque artists. It showed new ways to paint and arrange figures that influenced painters for a long time.

In popular culture

Michelangelo has been featured in several movies and shows. Some of these include The Agony and the Ecstasy from 1965, where Charlton Heston played Michelangelo, and A Season of Giants from 1990. More recent films like Michelangelo - Endless in 2018 and Sin in 2019 also tell stories about his life.