MICHELANGELOMarch 6, 1475 – February 18,

1564

Biography• Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni

was born in Florence, Italy

• Michelangelo was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet during a period known as the Renaissance

• His great works were almost entirely in the service of the Catholic Church

• Michelangelo spent most of his adult life in Rome, employed by the Popes

• This is Michelangelo’s first sculpture, completed while studying at the sculpture school in the Medici gardens when he was 14 or 15 years old

Madonna of the Stairs c. 1490

Marble

• Michelangelo did this marble sculpture for a wealthy patron before he was 25 years old

• It is the only work he has ever signed

• Pietà means “pity”, and refers to a painting or sculpture of Mary holding the dead body of Jesus

Pietà. 1499. Marble

One of Michelangelo’s most famous works of art, The Statue of David. The statue shows

David ready to fight the giant Goliath

David. 1501 – 1504. Marble

• Pope Julius II asked Michelangelo to come to Rome to paint 12 figures of the apostles and a few decorations on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

• Michelangelo tried to turn down the job, but the Pope insisted

• Michelangelo then developed a more ambitious plan for the ceiling

• After the Sistine Chapel was completed, Michelangelo was able to return to his first love, sculpture.

• This statue of Moses was created to be the central figure of the tomb of Julius II.

Moses. c. 1515

• In four years, Michelangelo painted over 400 life-sized figures.

• These highly original figures influenced the other artists of the time.

Doni Tondo. c. 1503.Oil and Tempera on panel

• The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica is an example of Michelangelo’s work as an architect.

• He was made chief architect in 1546.

• Michelangelo was responsible for the altar end of the building on the exterior and for the final form of its dome.

• Michelangelo lived to be nearly 89 years old.

• He was working on this sculpture just a few days before he died.

The Rondanini Pietà. c. 1552-1564. Marble