Michelangelo was an Italian Renaissance artist who was widely recognized for his abilities as a painter, architect, engineer, mathematician and philosopher. Michelangelo is famed for his iconic paintings in the Sistine Chapel as well as his statue, The David.
Fast Facts:
- Nationality: Italian
- Place of Birth: Caprese, Italy
- Full Name: Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni
- Lifespan: March 6, 1475 - February 18, 1564
- One of 5 sons
- Apprentice to painter Domeico Ghirlandaio and the sculpture school in the Medici gardens
Brief Background
Michelangelo was born in Caprese. His father was the magistrate of the area. His foray into the artistic world would soon be celebrated by the people of his day as one of the greatest artistic ventures set upon by any Italian. Proof of this level of adulation comes from the fact that two biographies were published on him during his lifetime.
He had created one of the most revered works in western sculpture, The David, before the age of thirty. He was also an acclaimed mathematician, poet and painter, whose painting of The Last Judgement is only rivaled by The David in its impact on western art.
He also studied architecture, which he implemented in designing the dome of St. Peter's Basilica.
Michelangelo Statues and Frescos
Michelangelo Timeline
1475: Born Michelangelo Buonarroti in Caprese, 6 March
1487: Became an apprentice to the painter Domenico Ghirlandaio
1490-92: (circa) Worked in the Medici household
1494-95: Worked in Bologna
1495: Returned to Florence, carved St. John the Baptist and the Sleeping Cupid
1496-1501: Moved to Rome. Carved the Bacchus and the Rome Pieta
1504: Completed the David.
1504: Received commission to paint the Battle of Cascina
1505: Summoned to Rome by Pope Julius II to create the tomb for the Pope
1505: Spent 8 months in the quarries of Carrara selecting marble for the tomb
1505-1545: Worked on the tomb of Julius II, Moses, The Rebellious and Dying Slave, Rachel and Leah
1508-1512: In Rome painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (completed)*
1515-1534: Carved tombs for the Medici family, designed Medici Chapel in Florence
1524: Commissioned to design the Laurentian Library at San Lorenzo
1536-1541: Painted The Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel. Unveiled in 1541.
1545-1550: Worked on the Pauline Chapel frescoes.
1555: Michelangelo completed the Florentine Pieta
1564: Michelangelo worked on the Rondanini Pieta - now in Milan.
1564: February 18 - died at age 89.
