Michelangelo & His paintings

Although his most famed works are the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City and the Statue of David, Michelangelo started like any other artist of the day, as an apprentice who would learn from great masters. But, these masters saw Michelangelo’s unmistakable genius in various art forms and knew early on that he would become the world’s most famed artists remembered and adored by future generations. Michelangelo wasn’t impoverished. His father was a banker in Florence and made enough to support his family, their upper middle-class livelihoods, and his children’s education. After much debate, Michelangelo’s father allowed him to study art, but only after agreeing that if his first three-year apprenticeship didn’t work out, he would return to study so he could take over the family’s business.

The young Michelangelo first started his studies under Domencio Ghirlandajo. After only six months of study, Domencio stated that Michelangelo had surpassed him in his own art. After only one year, Michelangelo began his tutelage under the supervision of the magnificent Lorenzo de’ Medici, who funded Michelangelo’s pursuits. When de’ Medici was overthrown from government, Michelangelo had to search for other commissions that would financially support him. He had, over the years, been sending home money to his father who constantly asked him for financial help.

Moving to Bologna, he found work finishing the shrine of St. Dominic. Michelangelo’s style was different in regard to the way he chose to finish the shrine – attempting to master the beauty and form of the human body. With the finishing of that project, he was commissioned for several others, which he dedicated much time and energy towards, unlike many artists of the day who left many works unfinished. In the year 1501, he completed the statue of David for the Florence Cathedral and received a large commission. In his other works, such as with Madonna and Child, and Madonna and Child with Infant St. John, Michelangelo displayed the evolution of his unmatched abilities.

Full Name: Mr. Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni Date of Birth: March 6, 1475 Place of Birth: Caprese, Florence, Italy Died: February 18, 1564 Place of Death: Rome, Italy Classification: Artists & Entertainers

Michelangelo was greatly affected by another artist of the day, Leonardo da Vinci. The two artists battled for different commissions in the city, but Michelangelo was summoned by the Pope to complete a vast number of projects. None of these were ever completed in their full mastery, as was the Sistine Chapel. In his later years, Michelangelo loathed his frail state; he had been strong and agile as a sculptor. He completed more paintings, sculpted, wrote poetry, and contributed to many architectural projects during his lifetime.