Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564), famous Italian sculptor, painter and architect, one of the greatest painters of the Italian Renaissance. He came from an ancient family of the counts of Canossa, was born in 1475 in Chiusi, near Florence. Michelangelo's first acquaintance with painting came from Ghirlandaio. Versatility artistic development and the breadth of education contributed to his stay with Lorenzo Medici, in the famous gardens of St. Mark, among the outstanding scientists and artists of that time. Carved by Michelangelo during his stay here, the mask of a faun and the relief depicting the struggle of Hercules with the centaurs drew attention to him. Shortly thereafter, he performed "Crucifixion" for the convent of Santo Spirito. During the execution of this work, the prior of the monastery placed at the disposal of Michelangelo a corpse, on which the artist first became acquainted with anatomy. Subsequently, he dealt with it with passion.
Portrait of Michelangelo Buonarroti. Artist M. Venusti, ca. 1535
In 1496, Michelangelo sculpted a sleeping cupid from marble. Having given it, on the advice of friends, the appearance of antiquity, he passed it off as an antique work. The trick succeeded, and the deceit opened afterward resulted in Michelangelo's invitation to Rome, where he executed a commissioned marble Bacchus and the Madonna with the Dead Christ (Pietà), which made Michelangelo from a respected sculptor the first sculptor of Italy.
In 1499, Michelangelo reappears in his native Florence and creates for her a colossal statue of David, as well as paintings in the Council Hall.
Statue of David. Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1504
Then Michelangelo was summoned to Rome by Pope Julius II and, by his order, created a grandiose project for a monument to the pope with many statues and reliefs. For various reasons, Michelangelo executed only one famous statue of Moses from this multitude.
Michelangelo Buonarroti. Statue of Moses
Forced to start painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel at the intrigues of rivals who thought to destroy the artist, knowing his unaccustomed to painting technique, Michelangelo at 22 months, working alone, created a huge work that caused general surprise. Here he depicted the creation of the world and man, the fall with its consequences: the expulsion from paradise and the global flood, the miraculous salvation of the chosen people and the approach of the time of salvation in the person of the sibyls, prophets and ancestors of the Savior. The Flood is the most successful composition in terms of the power of expression, drama, courage of thought, mastery of drawing, and the variety of figures in the most difficult and unexpected poses.
Michelangelo Buonarroti. Flood (detail). Fresco of the Sistine Chapel
The enormous painting of the Last Judgment, which, however, is somewhat inferior to the first in the nobility of style, executed by Michelangelo Buonarroti between 1532 and 1545 on the wall of the Sistine Chapel, also amazes with the power of fantasy, grandeur and mastery of the drawing.
Michelangelo Buonarroti. Terrible Judgment. Fresco of the Sistine Chapel
Image source - site http://www.wga.hu
Around the same time, Michelangelo created for the Medici monument a statue of Giuliano - the famous "Pensiero" - "thoughtfulness".
At the end of his life, Michelangelo leaves sculpture and painting and devotes himself mainly to architecture, taking upon himself “for the glory of God” the gratuitous management of the construction of the church of St. Peter in Rome. He didn't finish it. The grandiose dome was completed according to the design of Michelangelo after his death (1564), which interrupted the stormy life of the artist, who also took an ardent part in the struggle of his native city for his freedom.
Dome of St. Peter's Church in Rome. Architect - Michelangelo Buonarroti
The ashes of Michelangelo Buonarroti rest under a magnificent monument in the church of Santa Croce in Florence. Numerous of his sculptural works and paintings are scattered throughout the churches and galleries of Europe.
The style of Michelangelo Buonarroti is distinguished by grandeur and nobility. His desire for the extraordinary, his deep knowledge of anatomy, thanks to which he achieved amazing correctness of the drawing, attracted him to colossal creatures. Michelangelo Buonarroti has no rivals in sublimity, vigor, boldness of movement and majesty of forms. He shows special skill in depicting a naked body. Although Michelangelo, with his addiction to plastic, gave color a secondary importance, nevertheless his color is strong and harmonious, Michelangelo put fresco painting above oil painting and called the latter a woman's work. Architecture was his weak side, but in it, being self-taught, he showed his genius.
Secretive and uncommunicative, Michelangelo could do without loyal friends and did not know female love until the age of 80. He called art his beloved, paintings his children. Only at the end of his life did Michelangelo meet the famous beautiful poetess Vittoria Colonna and fell in love with her passionately. This pure feeling caused the appearance of Michelangelo's poems, which were then published in 1623 in Florence. Michelangelo lived with patriarchal simplicity, did a lot of good, was, in general, affectionate and gentle. Only impudence and ignorance he punished inexorably. Was with Rafael good relations, although he was not indifferent to his glory.
The life of Michelangelo Buonarroti is described by his students Vasari and Candovi.
One of the most influential figures in Western art, the Italian painter and sculptor Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni remains one of the most celebrated artists in the world even more than 450 years after his death. I suggest you get acquainted with the most famous works of Michelangelo from the Sistine Chapel to his sculpture of David.
Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
At the mention of Michelangelo, the artist’s beautiful fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican immediately comes to mind. Michelangelo was hired by Pope Julius II and worked on the fresco from 1508 to 1512. The work on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel depicts nine stories from the Book of Genesis and is considered one of the greatest works of the High Renaissance. Michelangelo himself initially refused to take on the project, as he considered himself more of a sculptor than a painter. Nevertheless, this work continues to delight about five million visitors to the Sistine Chapel every year. 
Statue of David, Accademia Gallery in Florence
The statue of David is the most famous sculpture in the world. Michelangelo's David was sculpted for three years, and the master took up her at the age of 26. Unlike many earlier depictions of the biblical hero, which depict David triumphant after fighting Goliath, Michelangelo was the first artist to portray him in suspense before the legendary fight. Originally placed in Florence's Piazza della Signoria in 1504, the 4-meter-high sculpture was moved to the Galleria dell'Accademia in 1873, where it remains to this day. You can read more about the Galleria dell'Accademia in the selection of Florence attractions on LifeGlobe. 
Sculpture of Bacchus at the Bargello Museum
Michelangelo's first large-scale sculpture is a marble Bacchus. Together with the Pieta, it is one of only two surviving sculptures from Michelangelo's Roman period. It is also one of several works by the artist focusing on pagan rather than Christian themes. The statue depicts the Roman god of wine in a relaxed position. The work was originally commissioned by Cardinal Raffaele Riario, who eventually turned it down. However, by the early 16th century, Bacchus had found a home in the gardens of the Roman palace of the banker Jacopo Galli. Since 1871, Bacchus has been on display at the Bargello National Museum in Florence, along with other works by Michelangelo, including a marble bust of Brutus and his unfinished sculpture of David-Apollo.
Madonna of Bruges, Church of Our Lady of Bruges
The Madonna of Bruges was the only sculpture by Michelangelo to leave Italy during the artist's lifetime. It was donated to the Church of the Virgin Mary in 1514, after being bought by the family of the cloth merchant Mouscron. The statue left the church several times, first during the French Wars of Independence, after which it was returned in 1815 to be stolen again by Nazi soldiers during World War II. This episode is dramatically portrayed in the 2014 film Treasure Hunters, starring George Clooney. 
Torment of Saint Anthony
The main asset of the Kimbell Art Museum in Texas is the painting "The Torment of St. Anthony" - the first known painting by Michelangelo. The artist is believed to have painted her at the age of 12 or 13, based on an engraving by the 15th-century German painter Martin Schongauer. The painting was created under the tutelage of his older friend Francesco Granacci. The Torment of St. Anthony was praised by the 16th-century painters and writers Giorgio Vasari and Ascanio Condivi - Michelangelo's earliest biographers - as a particularly curious work with a creative take on Schongauer's original engraving. The painting received wide acclaim from peers. 
Madonna Doni
Madonna Doni (Holy Family) is the only easel work by Michelangelo that has survived to this day. The work was created for the wealthy Florentine banker Agnolo Doni in honor of his marriage to Maddalena, daughter of the prominent Tuscan noble Strozzi family. The painting is still in its original frame, crafted from wood by Michelangelo himself. The Doni Madonna has been in the Uffizi Gallery since 1635 and is the only painting by the master in Florence. With his unusual presentation of objects, Michelangelo laid the foundation for the later Mannerist artistic movement. 
Pieta in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican
Along with David, the Pieta statue from the late 15th century is considered one of Michelangelo's most outstanding and famous works. Originally created for the tomb of the French cardinal Jean de Billiers, the sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Body of Christ after his crucifixion. It was common topic for funeral monuments in the Renaissance era of Italy. Moved to St. Peter's in the 18th century, the Pieta is the only work of art signed by Michelangelo. The statue has suffered significant damage over the years, especially when Hungarian-born Australian geologist Laszlo Toth hit it with a hammer in 1972. 
Moses Michelangelo in Rome
Set in the beautiful Roman basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli, "Moses" was commissioned in 1505 by Pope Julius II as part of his funeral memorial. Michelangelo never had time to finish the monument before the death of Julius II. Carved in marble, the sculpture is famous for the unusual pair of horns on Moses' head, the result of a literal interpretation of the Latin translation of the Vulgate Bible. The idea was to combine the statue with other works, including The Dying Slave, now located in the Paris Louvre. 
The Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel
Another masterpiece of Michelangelo is located in the Sistine Chapel - the Last Judgment is on the wall of the altar of the church. It was completed 25 years after the artist painted his awe-inspiring fresco on the ceiling of the Chapel. The Last Judgment is often cited as one of Michelangelo's most intricate works. The magnificent work of art depicts God's judgment on mankind, initially condemned because of the nudity. The Council of Trent condemned the fresco in 1564 and hired Daniele da Volterra to cover up the obscene parts. 
Crucifixion of Saint Peter, Vatican
The crucifixion of Saint Peter is Michelangelo's final fresco in the Vatican's Paolina Chapel. The work was commissioned by Pope Paul III in 1541. Unlike many other depictions of Peter of the Renaissance era, Michelangelo's work focuses on a much darker subject - his death. A five-year, €3.2 million restoration project began in 2004 and revealed a very interesting aspect of the fresco: Researchers believe that the blue turban-clad figure in the upper left corner is actually the artist himself. Thus - The crucifixion of St. Peter in the Vatican is the only known self-portrait of Michelangelo and a real gem.
Michelangelo Buonarroti is considered by many to be the most famous artist. Among his most famous works are the statues of "David" and "Pieta", the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel.
consummate master
The work of Michelangelo Buonarroti can be briefly described as the greatest phenomenon in art of all time - this is how he was evaluated during his lifetime, and this is how they continue to be considered to this day. Several of his works in painting, sculpture and architecture are among the most famous in the world. Although the frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican are probably the most famous works artist, he considered himself first and foremost a sculptor. Engaging in multiple arts was not uncommon in his time. All of them were based on a drawing. Michelangelo was engaged in all his life and other forms of art only at certain periods. The high appreciation of the Sistine Chapel is partly a reflection of the increased attention paid to painting in the 20th century, and partly the result of the fact that many of the master's works were left unfinished.
A side effect of Michelangelo's lifetime fame was more detailed description his way than any other artist of the time. He became the first artist whose biography was published before his death, there were even two of them. The first was the last chapter of a book on the life of artists (1550) by the painter and architect Giorgio Vasari. It was dedicated to Michelangelo, whose work was presented as the culmination of the perfection of art. Despite such praise, he was not entirely satisfied and instructed his assistant Ascanio Condivi to write a separate short book(1553), probably based on comments by the artist himself. In it, Michelangelo, the work of the master are depicted the way he wanted others to see them. After Buonarroti's death, Vasari published a refutation in the second edition (1568). Although scholars prefer Condivi's book to Vasari's lifetime description, the latter's importance in general and its frequent reprinting in many languages have made the work a major source of information about Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists. Buonarroti's fame also resulted in the preservation of countless documents, including hundreds of letters, essays and poems. However, despite the huge amount of accumulated material, in controversial issues often only the point of view of Michelangelo himself is known.
Brief biography and creativity
Painter, sculptor, architect and poet, one of the most famous artists of the Italian Renaissance was born under the name of Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni March 6, 1475 in Caprese, Italy. His father, Leonardo di Buanarotta Simoni, a short time served as magistrate in a small village when he and his wife Francesca Neri had the second of five sons, but they returned to Florence when Michelangelo was still an infant. Due to the illness of his mother, the boy was given up for education in the family of a stonemason, about which the great sculptor later joked that he absorbed a hammer and chisels with the nurse's milk.
Indeed, Michelangelo was least interested in studying. The work of painters in neighboring temples and the repetition of what he saw there, according to his early biographers, attracted him much more. Michelangelo's school friend, Francesco Granacci, who was six years older than him, introduced his friend to the artist Domenico Ghirlandaio. The father realized that his son was not interested in the family financial business and agreed to give him at the age of 13 as an apprentice to a fashionable Florentine painter. There he became acquainted with the fresco technique.
Medici gardens
Michelangelo spent only a year in the studio when he had a unique opportunity. On the recommendation of Ghirlandaio, he moved to the palace of the Florentine ruler Lorenzo the Magnificent, a powerful member of the Medici family, to study classical sculpture in his gardens. It was a fertile time for Michelangelo Buonarroti. The biography and work of the novice artist were marked by acquaintance with the elite of Florence, the talented sculptor Bertoldo di Giovanni, prominent poets, scientists and humanists of that time. Buonarroti also received special permission from the church to examine corpses for anatomy, although this had a negative effect on his health.
The combination of these influences formed the basis of Michelangelo's recognizable style: muscular precision and realism combined with an almost lyrical beauty. Two surviving bas-reliefs, "The Battle of the Centaurs" and "Madonna at the Stairs", testify to his unique talent at the age of 16.
Early success and influence
The political struggle after the death of Lorenzo the Magnificent forced Michelangelo to flee to Bologna, where he continued his studies. He returned to Florence in 1495 and began working as a sculptor, borrowing style from the masterpieces of classical antiquity.
There are several versions of the intriguing story of Michelangelo's sculpture Cupid, which was artificially aged to resemble rare antiques. One version claims that the author wanted to achieve a patina effect with this, and according to another, his art dealer buried the work in order to pass it off as an antique.
Cardinal Riario San Giorgio bought the Cupid, believing the sculpture to be such, and demanded his money back when he discovered that he had been deceived. In the end, the deceived buyer was so impressed by the work of Michelangelo that he allowed the artist to keep the money for himself. The cardinal even invited him to Rome, where Buonarroti lived and worked until the end of his days.
"Pieta" and "David"
Shortly after moving to Rome in 1498, another cardinal, Jean Bilaire de Lagrola, papal envoy of the French King Charles VIII, promoted his career. Michelangelo's sculpture "Pieta", which depicts Mary holding the dead Jesus on her knees, was completed in less than a year and was placed in the temple with the tomb of the cardinal. At 1.8m wide and almost the same height, the statue was moved five times until it found its current location in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
Carved from a single piece, the fluidity of the fabric, the position of the subjects and the "movement" of the skin of Pieta (which means "pity" or "compassion") plunged its first viewers into fear. Today it is an incredibly revered work. Michelangelo created her when he was only 25 years old.
By the time Michelangelo returned to Florence, he was already a celebrity. The sculptor received a commission for a statue of David, which two previous sculptors had unsuccessfully tried to make, and turned a five-meter block of marble into a dominant figure. The strength of the sinews, the vulnerable nudity, the humanity of the expressions and the general boldness made the "David" a symbol of Florence.
Art and architecture
Other commissions followed, including an ambitious design for the tomb of Pope Julius II, but work was cut short when Michelangelo was asked to move from sculpture to painting to decorate the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
The project fired the artist's imagination, and the original plan for writing 12 apostles grew into over 300 figures. This work was later completely removed due to fungus in the plaster and then restored. Buonarroti dismissed all the assistants he considered incompetent and completed the painting of the 65-meter ceiling himself, spending endless hours lying on his back and jealously guarding his work until it was completed on October 31, 1512.
The artistic work of Michelangelo can be briefly described as follows. This is a transcendent example of the high art of the Renaissance, which contains Christian symbols, prophecies and humanistic principles, absorbed by the master during his youth. The bright vignettes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel create a kaleidoscope effect. The most iconic image is the Creation of Adam, depicting God touching a person with his finger. The Roman artist Raphael apparently changed his style after seeing this work.
Michelangelo, whose biography and work forever remained associated with sculpture and drawing, due to physical exertion during the painting of the chapel, was forced to turn his attention to architecture.
The master continued to work on the tomb of Julius II over the next few decades. He also designed the Laurenzin Library, located opposite the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence, which was to house the library of the Medici house. These buildings are considered a turning point in the history of architecture. But the crowning glory of Michelangelo in this area was the work of the main in 1546.
Conflict nature
Michelangelo presented a floating Last Judgment on the far wall of the Sistine Chapel in 1541. Voices of protest were immediately heard - nude figures were inappropriate for such a holy place, calls were made to destroy the largest fresco of the Italian Renaissance. The artist responded by introducing new images into the composition: his main critic in the form of the devil and himself as a skinned St. Bartholomew.
Despite the connections and patronage of the wealthy and influential people of Italy, which provided the brilliant mind and all-round talent of Michelangelo, the life and work of the master were full of ill-wishers. He was cocky and quick-tempered, which often led to quarrels, including with his customers. This not only brought him trouble, but also created a feeling of dissatisfaction in him - the artist constantly strived for perfection and could not compromise.
Sometimes he had bouts of melancholy, which left a mark in many of his literary works. Michelangelo wrote that he was in great sorrow and labor, that he had no friends and did not need them, and that he did not have enough time to eat enough, but these inconveniences bring him joy.
In his youth, Michelangelo teased a fellow student and got hit in the nose, which disfigured him for life. Over the years, he experienced growing fatigue from his work, in one of the poems he described the enormous physical effort that he had to make to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Political strife in his beloved Florence also tormented him, but his most notable foe was the Florentine artist Leonardo da Vinci, who was 20 years older than him.
Literary works and personal life
Michelangelo, whose work was expressed in his sculptures, paintings and architecture, in his mature years took up poetry.
Never having married, Buonarroti was devoted to a pious and noble widow named Vittoria Colonna - the addressee of more than 300 of his poems and sonnets. Their friendship provided great support to Michelangelo until Colonna's death in 1547. In 1532, the master became close to the young nobleman Tommaso de' Cavalieri. Historians are still arguing about whether their relationship was homosexual in nature or whether he experienced paternal feelings.
Death and legacy
After a short illness, on February 18, 1564 - just a few weeks before his 89th birthday - Michelangelo died at his home in Rome. The nephew moved the body to Florence, where he was revered as "the father and master of all arts", and buried him in the Basilica di Santa Croce - where the sculptor himself bequeathed.
Unlike many artists, Michelangelo's work brought him fame and fortune during his lifetime. He was also fortunate to see the publication of two of his biographies by Giorgio Vasari and Ascanio Condivi. The appreciation of Buonarroti's craftsmanship has a long history, and his name has become synonymous with the Italian Renaissance.
Michelangelo: features of creativity
In contrast to the great fame of the artist's works, their visual impact on later art is relatively limited. This cannot be explained by the reluctance to copy the works of Michelangelo simply because of his fame, since Raphael, who was equal in talent, was imitated much more often. It is possible that a certain, almost cosmic scale type of expression by Buonarroti imposed restrictions. There are only a few examples of almost complete copying. The most talented artist was Daniele da Volterra. But nevertheless, in certain aspects, creativity in the art of Michelangelo found a continuation. In the 17th century he was considered the best in anatomical drawing, but was less praised for the broader elements of his work. The Mannerists used his spatial contraction and the writhing poses of his Victory sculpture. 19th century master Auguste Rodin applied the effect of unfinished marble blocks. Some masters of the XVII century. Baroque style copied it, but in such a way as to exclude literal resemblance. In addition, Gian and Peter Paul Rubens best showed how to use the work of Michelangelo Buonarroti for future generations of sculptors and painters.
Whose work undoubtedly left a mark on history and influenced the development and formation of Western art. In the West, he is considered the greatest sculptor, and although he spoke not flatteringly about painting, his frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, the Last Judgment, and other works helped to establish him a place among the greatest artists. In addition, Michelangelo was one of the best architects of his time. This list of works included both sculptures and architectural projects, as well as paintings.
10 Iconic Works by Michelangelo
10. Madonna Doni.
Type: Tondo.
Year of writing: 1507.
Madonna Doni
Angelo Doni in the early 1500s gives the master an order to depict the “Family of Saints” in order to present it to his wife in the future. The master used a round frame (tondo) for the picture.
The Doni Madonna includes the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, the Christ Child and John the Baptist. Behind are five nude male figures.
9. Bacchus.
Type: Marble statue.
Year of creation: 1497.
This statue was completed by the sculptor at the age of 22. The famous work depicts the Roman god of wine, Bacchus, holding a glass of wine in his right hand and a tiger skin in his left. Behind him sits a faun eating a bunch of grapes. "Bacchus" is one of two surviving sculptures early period the work of Michelangelo in Rome.
8. Madonna of Bruges.
Type: Marble statue.
Year of creation: 1504.
Madonna of Bruges
"Madonna of Bruges" depicts Mary with the baby Jesus. In this sculpture, Michelangelo does not adhere to the traditions of depicting this composition. The face of the virgin is removed, she does not look at Christ, as if she knows his future. At this time, the baby, without maternal support, departs into the world.
7. Laurentian Library.
Type: Architecture.
Year of creation: 1559.
Laurentian Library
The Laurentian Library was designed by Michelangelo in 1524 for the church of San Lorenzo in Florence (Italy). The entire construction, including the interior of the premises, was developed by the master in an innovative, at that time, Mannerist style.
This work is one of the most important architectural achievements of Michelangelo. It is characterized by innovation and revolutionary ways of using space.
6. Moses.
Type: Marble statue.
Year of creation: 1515.
In 1505, Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to work on his tomb. The statue is located in Rome (Church of San Pietro in Vincoli). There is a legend that when the work was completed, Michelangelo hit the right knee of the sculpture with a hammer, as she began to speak, he was so realistic.
Type: Marble statue.
Year of creation: 1499.
The pieta depicts the Virgin Mary mourning over the body of Jesus after the crucifixion, which lies on her lap. The statue is not based on real biblical stories, but still gained popularity in Northern Europe in the Middle Ages.
Buonarroti was only 24 years old when he completed what is now considered one of the world's greatest masterpieces of sculpture.
4. The Last Judgment.
Type: fresco painting.
Year of creation: 1541.
Last Judgment
In Western art, The Last Judgment is one of the most significant works. Painted on the altar wall of the chapel, it demonstrates the second coming of Christ to earth. Jesus is shown in the center and surrounded by eminent saints who have risen from the dead.
Type: Architecture.
Year of issue: 1626.
Located in the Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica is the most famous work Renaissance architecture. Many famous masters worked on the creation (including Antonio da Sangallo). Although Michelangelo did not create it from scratch, the cathedral has come down to our time in the form in which Buonarroti was conceived.
2. Creation of Adam.
Type: fresco painting.
Year of creation: 1512.
The cornerstone of Renaissance painting, The Creation of Adam, is located on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which spawned a number of followers and a large number of parodies.
1. David.
Type: Marble statue.
Year of creation: 1504.
Probably the most famous work of Michelangelo is the masterpiece sculpture of the biblical character David, who is ready to fight Goliath. The theme of David and Goliath was quite popular in the art of that time. Caravaggio, for example, has three works dedicated to this subject.
The colossal statue, 5.17 meters high, demonstrates Michelangelo's exceptional technical skills as well as the power of symbolic imagination.
10 Iconic Works by Michelangelo updated: October 2, 2017 by: Gleb
