Michelangelo Buonarroti
(self portrait)
Michelangelo
Born in Caprese, Italy,
outside of Florence, on
March 6,1475
Thought to be the
greatest artist who
ever lived: sculptor,
painter, architect, etc.
Died in Rome on
February 18,1564, at
the age of 89
Early Years
After he was born his
mother was too ill to care
for him, so he lived with a
stone-mason's family until
he was 10 years old.
As a child, he was always
surrounded by chisels and
stone. He joked that this
was why he loved to sculpt.
His mother died when he
was 6. His childhood was
lacking in affection, and he
retained a taciturn (bad)
disposition his whole life.
Michelangelo lived during
the Renaissance Period
Renaissance means "to be born again"
From the 14th to the 17th century
Viewed as a bridge between the Middle Ages
(illiteracy, wars, disease and barbaric invasions)
and the Modern Era (emphasis placed on
education, strong centralized governments and
an appreciation of the Arts).
Leonardo DaVinci and Raphael were also
influential painters during the Renaissance.
Michelangelo:
His
beginnings
in Art
(Battle of the Centaurs, done when he
was only 16 years old)
His father recognized his intelligence, and his talent with
drawing and painting. At age 14, he sent him to study under
professional painters and sculptors.
Michelangelo's work caught the attention of the wealthy and
powerful art patron Lorenzo de Medici. Medici invited him to
come work in Florence. He was now paid to create his art.
Michelangelo as a Sculptor
Michelangelo in his
heart considered
himself a sculptor first,
a painter second.
He was happiest and
most proud of his
sculpting works.
Between 1492 and
1505 Michelangelo
completed two of his
most famous stone
works...The Pieta
(1498-1499) and
David (1501-1504).
The Pieta
Created for St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Rome. It
can still be seen there today, and is the only work that
Michelangelo ever signed. (Michel Angelus Bonarotus Florent Facibat)
David
His most famous sculpture,
it resides in the Accademia
museum in Florence, Italy
Carved out of a single slab
of stone, the statue is
14.24 ft tall
From the Biblical story of
David and Goliath, it was
meant to symbolize the
heroic courage of the
people of Florence
Michelangelo
and his
painting
He primarily used a technique
called Fresco (fresh).
Fresco is painting with water based pigment (coloring powder)
onto a layer of plaster that is still wet. When the plaster dries,
the color becomes a permanent part of the finished surface.
Fresco was perfected in Italy during the 14th century and was
used by many Renaissance artists.
The most famous fresco painting was Michelangelo's Sistine
Chapel in Rome.
The Sistine Chapel
Commissioned by Pope Julius ll to
sculpt a tomb, but project was switched
to painting the chapel ceiling instead
He was given carte blanche, and
painted his vision of the Old Testament
stories in 9 large rectangular panels.
Contains approx. 400 life size figures,
over a space of 5600 square feet
Painted on his back, using custom
scaffolding 59 feet above the floor
Completed between 1508-1512. He
said of the work, “After 4 tortured
years, I felt as old and as weary as
Jeremiah. I was only 37, yet friends
did not recognize the old man I had
become.”
The Creation of Adam
Depicts God the father creating Adam, the first man
and was amongst the last panels to be completed,
telling the story of Genesis.
The focal point of this painting of the Creation of Adam is
the contact between the fingers of God and those of
Adam, through which the breath of life is transmitted.
By not painting the fingers of God and Adam touching
and leaving a small space between the two,
Michelangelo creates a tingling feeling as you anticipate
them finally touching.
Publicity poster for the film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was
modeled after the painting
Michelangelo suffered
permanent back and eye
injuries from his 4 years of
painting the ceiling of the
Sistine chapel.
His major works in his later
years include the Tomb of
Julius II, the dome and altar
area of St. Peter’s Basilica,
and The Last Judgment fresco
Michelangelo continued to
sculpt, paint and design
buildings up until his death in
1564.
He is buried in Santa Croce
Cathedral, in Florence Italy.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1.) During what time period did
Michelangelo live?
2.) What type of art was his favorite?
3.) What method of painting did he
most often use?
ART AWARENESS
PROJECT
We are going to try to draw the way Michelangelo did while
creating his masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel…
ON OUR BACKS!