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MICHELANGELO DE LUDOVICO BUNARROTI SIMONI
Michelangelo was an Italian Renaissance sculpture, painter, poet, and architect. Born on
March 6, 1474 in Caprese, Italy to a high respected family; the Buonarroti were influential
members of society, even in the most unstable financial circumstances they were able to
uphold government authority. However Michelangelo was brought up by a wet nurse that
would influence his growth in the fine arts; as the caretaker was the daughter of a stonecutter
and married to one. By the age of ten Michelangelo was taken back to his family with an
appreciation in sculpting (Bull, 1995).
Michelangelo was often beating by his father for having an ambition in painting then
sculpting, at the age of thirteen he was allowed to study under Domenico Ghirlandaio, after
three years Michelangelo was enrolled in Lorenzo’s school of fine arts. At the age of sixteen
Michelangelo sculpted the “Madonna of the Stairs” in 1491 and in 1492 created “The Battle of
the Centaurs” at the prime age of seventeen. During his education at Florence’s Humanist
Academy or de Medici’s garden Michelangelo was surrounded by intellectuals and business
men that would serve as contacts in the future. After the death of Lorenzo the Magnificent,
Michelangelo began to dissect cadavers to study the human anatomy. It wouldn’t be until the
age of twenty- one that he would craft the greatest masterpiece, awing the public with its
presentation (Rekant, Friedman, and Markham, n.d.).
The Giant David or David is considered one the best art pieces of Michelangelo, the
marble statue built between 1501 and 1504 has astonished Renaissance sculpture after its
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appearance to the public. Michelangelo was commission by the Cathedral of Florence to
reconstruct a remaining block of marble to display in one of the churches’ niche. However the
statue was considered grand to isolate the art piece from view, instead the Giant David was
placed in public view outside the Palazzo Della Signoria in front of the city’s government
building (Rekant, n.d.).
The statue symbolizes civic liberty during the fifteen century after the Medici family and
neighboring countries threaten the Republican ideals of Florence’s citizens. In fact the statue is
a representation of the Biblical hero “David,” which stands seventeen feet tall and faced
towards the incoming visitors. By 1910 the art piece was replace with a replica after being
vandalize by the public and to protect it from damaging. At the age of twenty-six, Michelangelo
was not only an established artist with a reputation, but the highest requested sculpture to be
sought after. The statue has become an iconic art work that has gain admiration. Displayed at
the Galleria Dell’ Accademia in Florence, Italy tourist can marvel at the famous masterpiece
(Bull, 1995).
Among his well known sculptors is the Pieta, a representation of the Virgin Mary
carrying, a crucified Jesus. Michelangelo carved his name across the band of the artwork, after
overhearing other artist taking credit for his achievement, out of rage and later regret
Michelangelo snuck into the museum and carve his name. The sculpture established
Michelangelo’s reputation as an artist among other areas, neighboring Italy. Unfortunately, the
art piece was damaged by Laszlo Toth on May 21, 1972 today the sculpture is protected by
bullet-proof glass from damage (Wang June Aileen, 2014).
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The Pieta suffered from damages after the attacks such the nose, ear, and fingers were
chop off, eventually the broken pieces were reconstructed. After the incident Antonio Paolucci,
director of the Vatican Museum stated that “with any other statue, leaving the wounds of the
attack visible, however painful, could have been tolerated but not with the Pieta, not this
miracle of art” (Pullella, 2013.) The statement itself represents the impact that the Pieta has
even in this time period. Today the statue is displayed at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy
were much of Michelangelo’s artwork is exhibit.
The Sistine Chapel located in the Vatican City of Italy, gains about 20,000 visitors per
year, to witness the remarkable art pieces of Michelangelo. The Sistine Chapel was a
remarkable landmark in Michelangelo’s career, during this time period Michelangelo was
considered a legendary artist and a master of the arts. The Sistine Chapel proved that
Michelangelo was capable of expanding his career as sculptor, but as a painter as well. The
finished piece took about four years to complete, throughout that period Pope Julius demand a
sooner finishing point. In fact when asked when Michelangelo would finish he would respond
“When I can” this of course angered the Pope; Michelangelo didn’t receive any compensation
until the artwork was accomplished (Rekant, Friedman, and Markham, n.d.).
Michelangelo’s reputation had captured the attention of Pope Julius, whom had the
identical characteristics of Michelangelo. Pope Julius was a demanding man that often managed
to obtain his desires, often with the highest luxuries. His architect was Bro Monte, his painter
Rafael, and his sculpture would be Michelangelo. As a request from Pope Julius, Michelangelo
was reluctant to paint the ceiling, due to the fact that he “was a sculptor, not a painter ”(King,
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2003).The Sistine Chapel illustrates the entire genesis scenes from the bible, a rather large area
to work with as its 131 ft long by 13 meters wide. Although the artpieces has astonished the
public, Michelangelo expressed the physical strain that the painting had caused him in one of
his poems. Twenty-five years later Michelangelo would once again demonstrate his talent as a
painter in alter of the Sistine Chapel.
The Last Judgment is a fresco painting that is featured in the altar wall of the Sistine
Chapel, commission by Pope Paul III in 1536 to 1541 to Michelangelo. The painting symbolizes
the damned and the saved, a representation of the afterlife. The painting took four years to
complete and it’s said that when the Pope first witness the painting, he prayed for his salvation.
However, Pope Paul demanded Michelangelo to cover the nudity of the figures in the painting,
Michelangelo refused. It wasn’t until Michelangelo’s death that a controversy over art nudity
was argued and breech workers were hired to cover some of the nudity figured. During the
beginning of the artwork the theory of decorum was beginning to emerge, which discussed
nudity in sacred figures. The theory viewed nudity as indecent and obscene, even more so with
religious or sacred portraits (Bull, 1995).
By 1545 Michelangelo had established a workshop with fifteen to twenty apprentices,
most of which helped Michelangelo begin the blocks. However, Michelangelo left uncompleted
art pieces which were due to the fact that he wanted to finish them himself. The art work titled
as “unfinished works” are considered grander than any completed works itself. The art pieces
are said to gives off the impression of escape or slaves of stones. Some people actually
considered these uncompleted art works superior than any creation of Michelangelo’s work.
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Theorists also argue that the unfinished progress might be an indication of the artist’s body
perception, although not proven (Bull, 1995).
During 1545 Michelangelo’s primary focused was architecture and poetry; he pioneered
the mannerist style at the Laurentian Library and drew the central plan fir Saint Peter’s basilica.
The construction plan for the Church was free of charge from Michelangelo’s part as a tribute
to the sacred place and redemption for his soul (Wang, 2014). The last sculpture completed by
Michelangelo before his death is the Florentine Pieta. The art piece was created to decorate
the tomb of the artist; however Michelangelo discovered an impurity in the stone and smashed
it. The art piece was completed by Tiberio Calcagni, which added the female figure. Today the
sculpture is located at the Museo Dell’ Opera Del Duomo in Florence, Italy.
In February 18, 1564 Michelangelo died in Rome and was buried in Florence, Italy after
his coffin was present to the public in the Accademia Del Diegno. During this funeral the public
was allow to witness his body after this death he was revered as the “father and master of all
the arts.” During and after his lifetime Michelangelo was also known as “The Divine” such was
his title, which leads the world to believe that not only was he highly recognized, but honored.
Michelangelo left a legacy of artistic achievement demonstrating an excellence of the three arts
of design and further improving upon them (Bull, 1995).
Michelangelo is considered one of the highest ranked artists that had ever lived; his art
works has been an inspiration to civilization for centuries. The sculptures and painting impacted
the western hemisphere during specific events were art was used to express opinions or ideals.
Among his other art pieces, the Sistine Chapel or Last Judgment holds various presentations of
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Michelangelo’s religious view. Michelangelo has been one of my favorite artists, next to
Leonardo, whose masterpieces had been once said to behold the “hands of god.” When I first
began learning about Michelangelo, I was impressed by his art works, which were astonishing
and are still equally praised.
I think Michelangelo’s personality intrigued me the most rather than his artistic career
mainly, because I believe he was conflicted about his religious views and social communication
with his father. Michelangelo is regarded as one of the best artists, however when I began
researching in depth, it almost appears that he considers himself worthy, yet flawed.
Michelangelo was a perfectionist, prideful, and angered which are apparent in specific art
pieces he has created. The Pieta and the Last Judgment displays some of Michelangelo’s
personality in a social manner. The Pieta for example was considered majestic when it was first
displayed to the public, it’s presumed that Michelangelo overheard, other artists plagiarize his
art piece. Driven by rage and indignation, Michelangelo craved his name into the chest of the
Virgin Mary, which he later regretted. Perhaps the event doesn’t reflect his personality entirely,
but it does exhibit his behavior during the situation.
I thought that Michelangelo’s relationship with his father is complex due to the fact that
he didn’t fully accept Michelangelo’s career or display affections toward his son. While
researching I discovered that Michelangelo was beaten by his father and uncle for displaying an
interest in the fine arts, as he grew older and gained a reputation his family was more incline to
allow Michelangelo to study sculpting. Although Michelangelo’s reputations gained him wealth,
he did struggle financially, due to the completion of the work. While researching I read that
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Michelangelo’s’ father, Lorenzo often asked for financial support or would steal from his own
son. Despite the actions of Lorenzo, Michelangelo clearly loved his father and brothers, which
to me is odd, considering the neglect that was inflicted upon him.
WORKS CITED
George Bull. MICHELANGELO: A Biography. 1995. St. Martin’s Press, New York.
King, Ross. Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling. 2003. Walker Publishing Company.
Pullella, Philip. “Vatican marks anniversary of 1972 attack on Michelangelo’s Pieta.” May 21,
2013. Web.
Rekant Stuart B., Friedman Adam, and Markham Monte. Biography Michelangelo Artist and
Man. Documentary. n.d.
Wang June Aileen. The Sixteenth Century Journal. Vol. 35, No. 2, 2014.