Michelangelo

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) is considered one of the most important artists of the Renaissance and left an impressive legacy as a sculptor, painter, architect and poet. Even today, people queue for hours to admire his works. His brilliance is unmatched.

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) is considered one of the most important artists of the Renaissance and left an impressive legacy as a sculptor, painter, architect and poet. Born on March 6, 1475 in Caprese, near Florence, Michelangelo was revered as a genius during his lifetime. His works revolutionized the art world and continue to shape European art history to this day.

Early years and education

Michelangelo grew up in Florence, which was the cultural center of the Renaissance in his time. His extraordinary talent became apparent early on. At the age of 13, he began training with Domenico Ghirlandaio, a leading Florentine painter, before turning to sculpture. In the garden of the Medici Palace, where he was discovered by Lorenzo de Medici, he deepened his studies of classical sculpture and worked with important artists of his time.

Pieta, Michelangelo, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Pieta, Michelangelo, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The rise to mastery

Michelangelo’s breakthrough as a sculptor came with the sculpture “Pietà” (1499), which he created at the age of just 24 for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The graceful depiction of the Virgin Mary holding the dead Jesus in her arms caused a great stir. With “David” (1504), a monumental marble statue, Michelangelo cemented his reputation as a master sculptor. The statue, which shows the biblical hero in perfect anatomical form, became a symbol of the power and freedom of the Florentine Republic.

David by Michelangelo Florence Galleria dell'Accademia Jörg Bittner Unna, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
David by Michelangelo Florence Galleria dell'Accademia Jörg Bittner Unna, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Painting and the Sistine Chapel

Although Michelangelo saw himself primarily as a sculptor, he also created groundbreaking works in painting. One of his most famous works is the ceiling painting of the Sistine Chapel (1508–1512) in the Vatican, which he completed on behalf of Pope Julius II. The work shows scenes from the story of creation, including the iconic motif of the creation of Adam. The technique of fresco painting, which Michelangelo mastered, and the powerful depictions of the figures make this work a milestone in art history.

Sistine chapel, Michelangelo (Snowdog, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)
Sistine chapel, Michelangelo (Snowdog, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Later years and architecture

In his later years, Michelangelo increasingly devoted himself to architecture. As chief architect of St. Peter’s Basilica from 1546, he contributed significantly to the design of the church, especially in planning the iconic dome. He also designed important buildings such as the Laurentian Library and the Piazza di Campidoglio in Rome.

Dome of St. Peter's Basilica planned by Michelangelo (Heribert Pohl, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)
Dome of St. Peter's Basilica planned by Michelangelo (Heribert Pohl, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Personality and influence

Michelangelo was known for his passionate devotion to art and led an ascetic, often solitary life. Despite his immense success, he had a difficult relationship with clients and colleagues. His work was characterized by a deep understanding of human anatomy, combined with a spiritual dimension that reflects man’s relationship to God.

His work influenced generations of artists. “Mannerism”, a style of the late Renaissance, was largely inspired by Michelangelo’s superhuman depictions. He himself is considered one of the greatest universal geniuses in history, whose influence extends far beyond the Renaissance.

Death and legacy

Michelangelo died in Rome on February 18, 1564 at the age of 88. He left behind an artistic legacy that is unparalleled. In addition to the Pietà, David and the Sistine Chapel, works such as the tomb for Pope Julius II and the frescoes of the Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel are among his best known works. His life’s work embodies the fusion of art, religion and humanism and continues to shape Western culture to this day.

 

Last judgement, Michelangelo (Wikipedia Public Domain)
Last judgement, Michelangelo (Wikipedia Public Domain)

Exhibition of Michelangelo’s works

His works can now be found in important museums and cathedrals, such as the Vatican Museum in Rome. In the Sistine Chapel you can see Michelangelo’s famous ceiling frescoes (1508-1512), including the central work “The Creation of Adam”. The monumental fresco “The Last Judgement” (1536-1541) on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel is also his work. The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica was designed by Michelangelo. He was also responsible for the design of the Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Alongside Rome, Florence is one of the European strongholds of Michelangelo exhibits. His world-famous marble sculpture of David (1501-1504), one of the most famous works of art in history, still delights visitors in the Galleria dell’Accademia.

The Bargello Museum presents the Bacchus statue (1496 – 1497). This early sculpture by Michelangelo represents the Roman god of wine.

The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo displays some of Michelangelo’s unfinished works, including the famous Pietà Bandini (1547-1555), which Michelangelo created for his own tomb. The Uffizi Gallery houses some of Michelangelo’s drawings and sketches, as well as other works associated with him.

You can also admire his art up close in France. In the Louvre you can discover the sculptures “The Dying Slave” and “The Rebellious Slave”. These works were originally created for the unfinished tomb of Pope Julius II.

In London, the National Gallery of Art presents “Tondo Doni (1506), a cyclorama depicting the Holy Family.

Copies of his famous works in the USA

Although Michelangelo’s original sculptures are not exhibited in the USA, there are copies of famous works, such as David or Moses, in various museums and public spaces that are recognized worldwide as replicas of his work. These copies make it possible to experience Michelangelo’s art in life size, even if the originals are in Europe.

Although most of Michelangelo’s original masterpieces (especially sculptures and paintings) are in Europe, in addition to copies of his sculptures, many of his important drawings, sketches and designs can be seen in prestigious American museums. These offer valuable insights into his artistic development and technique.

 

Giorgio Vasari – Michelangelo’s Chronicler

Fellow artist and contemporary Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574), an Italian painter, architect and historian, wrote extensively about Michelangelo in his “Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors and Architects” (1550 and 1568), praising him as the greatest artist of his time, indeed of all time. In Vasari’s eyes, Michelangelo embodied the consummate genius of the Renaissance, excelling in all three major arts – painting, sculpture and architecture.

Michelangelo as a divinely gifted artist

Vasari describes Michelangelo as an artist sent by God, born with an extraordinary gift. He saw in Michelangelo the perfection that surpassed all previous artists. Vasari particularly highlighted Michelangelo’s ability to depict human anatomy and to depict figures with unprecedented expressiveness and reality. His works, according to Vasari, combined technical skill with spiritual depth.

Vasari was particularly impressed by Michelangelo’s “David” and the Sistine Chapel frescoes, which he called unrivaled masterpieces. He emphasized how Michelangelo set new standards by depicting the human body, creating a vision of art that combined both physical and metaphysical dimensions. For Vasari, Michelangelo was the artist who brought Renaissance art to perfection.

Personality

Vasari describes Michelangelo not only as an exceptional talent, but also as an artist with a complicated character. Michelangelo was known for his reclusiveness, his workaholism, and his tireless devotion to art. Despite his fame, he led a simple, even ascetic life in order to devote himself entirely to art.

Overall, Vasari portrays Michelangelo as THE ideal of a Renaissance artist: a divinely inspired creator who remains forever immortal through his works.

Michelangelo’s sculptures

Michelangelo’s sculptures are known for their impressive expressiveness, masterful anatomical precision and deep spirituality. As one of the most important sculptors of the Renaissance, Michelangelo had a lasting influence on the sculptural style of his time and set new standards for the representation of the human body.

Perfect anatomy and idealization of the human body

Michelangelo had a deep understanding of human anatomy, which he acquired through the study of corpses. His sculptures, such as the famous “David”, show the human body in idealized, almost superhuman proportions. Muscles, tendons and skin are modeled with the greatest precision and give the figures an incredible liveliness and physicality. The perfection of the human body reflected Michelangelo’s ideal that the human body should be viewed as an expression of divine beauty and perfection. This belief became the credo of Renaissance art.

Movement and dynamics

Michelangelo succeeded in capturing movement and dynamics in his sculptures. His figures are often depicted in dramatic, powerful poses that capture a moment full of tension and energy. The bodies almost seem to rise from the stone, which is particularly evident in works such as the “Prisoners” series, where unfinished figures seem to burst out of the marble block.

Emotionality and expressiveness

In addition to physical perfection, Michelangelo placed great importance on the emotional expression of his figures. His sculptures are not only technically brilliant, but also carry a strong emotional and spiritual dimension. In the “Pietà” (1499), where Mary holds the dead Christ in her arms, he points to the physical pain and a deep, silent grief. It was precisely the combination of physical beauty and emotional depth that made his works so extraordinary.

Incompleteness and the concept of “Non Finito”

A characteristic feature of many of his later works is the deliberate incompleteness, the so-called “Non Finito”. Michelangelo left some of his sculptures intentionally unfinished, as in the “Prisoners” series. These works give the impression that the figures are born from the stone, which can be interpreted as a symbol of the creative process or the unfinished state of the human soul.

Overall, Michelangelo’s sculptures are characterized by their superior craftsmanship, their profound emotionality, and their spiritual meaning. They combine the physical and metaphysical aspects of man and embody the ideal of Renaissance art.