Michelangelo Buonarroti

Who would not know Michelangelo? From paintings to sculptures, to poets, architecture, and engineering, Michelangelo has proved his genius and skills to be called as one of the greatest artist that have ever lived during the Renaissance era. 

Michelangelo was born with the full name of Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni on the 6th of March year 1475 in Italy. His parents were Lodovico di Leonardo di Buonarroti di Simoni and Francesca di Neri del Miniato di Siena. The family of Michelangelo’s father ran a small bank for generations however, Michelangelo’s father failed to maintain it which eventually led his father to enter the government. At the age of 6, Michelangelo’s mother died which led him to live in Settignano in the shelter of a stonecutter and his family. One of the famous quote noted by Giorgio Vasari from Michelangelo was “If there is some good in me, it is because I was born in the subtle atmosphere of your country of Arezzo. Along with the milk of my nurse I received the knack of handling chisel and hammer, with which I make my figures.”

 

At a young age, Michelangelo was sent by his father to study grammar. However, just like other successful and famous artists, Michelangelo showed no interest in grammar, rather, he preferred to replicate church paintings and spend time with his fellow artists. When he reached the age of 13, he became an apprentice of Domenico Ghirlandaio who is also a painter.

 

In 1489, Ghirlandaio was asked by the ruler of Florence Lorenzo de’ Medici to send two of the best apprentice that he have. Ghirlandaio sent Michelangelo alongside with Francesco Granacci for proper education. After studying at a Humanist academy, he became an apprentice of a well-known sculpture Bertoldo di Giovanni.

 

In 1496, the famous Renaissance artists went to Rome with the goal of creating his world-renowned masterpiece – Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica. After going back to Florence, Michelangelo finished another creation “David” which he made from 1501 to 1504. “David” is now being displayed in Academia.

 

During 1505, Michelangelo was again invited to return to Rome by the then Pope Julius II. He was tasked to create the decorations of the Sistine Chapel, which became widely-popular today because of its distinct paintings in the ceilings.

 

In February 18th of 1564, Michelangelo died in Rome at the age of 88 but was buried back in Florence. Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni was indeed a great man, though he was also regarded to be a pessimist and had himself most of the time withdrew from the company of other people.

 

One of the most popular quote from Michelangelo states “The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.”