Maria Gomez

Art 1020

Professor Reynolds

MICHELANGELO DE LUDOVICO BUNARROTI SIMONI

would craft the greatest

Michelangelo was an Italian Renaissance sculpture,

masterpiece, awing the

painter, poet, and architect. Born on March 6, 1474 in Caprese,

public with its presentation

Italy to a high respected family; the Buonarroti were influential

(Rekant, Friedman, and

members of society, even in the most unstable financial

Markham, n.d.).

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 Lorenzos 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 Florences
Humanist Academy or de Medicis 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 wouldnt be until the age of twenty- one that he

Maria Gomez

Art 1020

Professor Reynolds

The Giant David or David is considered one of the best art

pieces of Michelangelo, the marble statue built between 1501 and
1504 has astonished Renaissance sculpture after its 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 citys 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 Florences citizens. In fact the statue is a
representation of the Biblical hero David, which stands

Among his well

seventeen feet tall and faced towards the incoming visitors. By

known sculptors is the Pieta,

1910 the art piece was replace with a replica after being vandalize

a representation of the

by the public and to protect it from damaging. At the age of

Virgin Mary carrying, a

twenty-six, Michelangelo was not only an established artist with a

crucified Jesus. Michelangelo

reputation, but the highest requested sculpture to be sought after.

carved his name across the

The statue has become an iconic art work that has gain

band of the artwork, after

admiration. Displayed at the Galleria Dell Accademia in Florence,

overhearing other artist

Italy tourist can marvel at the famous masterpiece (Bull, 1995).

taking credit for his

achievement, out of rage and
later regret Michelangelo
snuck into the museum and

Maria Gomez

Art 1020

Professor Reynolds

carve his name. The sculpture established Michelangelos

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).

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,

The Sistine Chapel

director of the Vatican Museum stated that with any other

located in the Vatican City of

statue, leaving the wounds of the attack visible, however painful,

Italy, gains about 20,000

could have been tolerated but not with the Pieta, not this miracle

visitors per year, to witness

of art (Pullella, 2013.) The statement itself represents the impact

the remarkable art pieces of

that the Pieta has even in this time period. Today the statue is

Michelangelo. The Sistine

displayed at Saint Peters Basilica in Rome, Italy were much of

Chapel was a remarkable

Michelangelos artwork is exhibit.

landmark in Michelangelos
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

Maria Gomez

Art 1020

Professor Reynolds

sculptor, but as a painter as well. The finished piece took about

that he was a sculptor, not a

four years to complete, throughout that period Pope Julius

painter (King, 2003).The

demand a sooner finishing point. In fact when asked when

Sistine Chapel illustrates the

Michelangelo would finish he would respond When I can this of

entire genesis scenes from

course angered the Pope; Michelangelo didnt receive any

the bible, a rather large area

compensation until the artwork was accomplished (Rekant,

to work with as its 131 ft

Friedman, and Markham, n.d.).

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. Twentyfive years later Michelangelo
would once again
demonstrate his talent as a
painter in alter of the Sistine

Michelangelos 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

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

Maria Gomez

Art 1020

Professor Reynolds

Michelangelo. The painting symbolizes the damned and the saved,

a representation of the afterlife. The painting took four years to
complete and its 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 wasnt until Michelangelos
death that a controversy over art nudity was argued and breech
workers were hired to cover some of the nudity figured. During

During 1545

the beginning of the artwork the theory of decorum was beginning

Michelangelos primary

to emerge, which discussed nudity in sacred figures. The theory

focused was architecture and

viewed nudity as indecent and obscene, even more so with

poetry; he pioneered the

religious or sacred portraits.

mannerist style at the

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 Michelangelos work. Theorists also argue
that the unfinished progress might be an indication of the artists
body perception, although not proven (Bull, 1995).

Laurentian Library and drew

the central plan fir Saint
Peters basilica. The
construction plan for the
Church was free of charge
from Michelangelos 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.

Maria Gomez

Art 1020

Professor Reynolds

The art piece was created to decorate the tomb of the artist;

achievement demonstrating

however Michelangelo discovered an impurity in the stone and

an excellence of the three

smashed it. The art piece was completed by Tiberio Calcagni,

arts of design and further

which added the female figure. Today the sculpture is located at

improving upon them (Bull,

the Museo Dell Opera Del Duomo in Florence, Italy.

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

In February 18, 1564 Michelangelo died in Rome and was

express opinions or ideals.
buried in Florence, Italy after his coffin was present to the public in
Among his other art pieces,
the Accademia Del Diegno. During this funeral the public was allow
the Sistine Chapel or Last
to witness his body after this death he was revered as the father
Judgment holds various
and master of all the arts. During and after his lifetime
presentations of
Michelangelo was also known as The Divine such was his title,
Michelangelos religious
which leads the world to believe that not only was he highly
view. Michelangelo has been
recognized, but honored. Michelangelo left a legacy of artistic
one of my favorite artists,
next to Leonardo, whose

Maria Gomez

Art 1020

Professor Reynolds

masterpieces had been once said to behold the hands of god.

discovered that

When I first began learning about Michelangelo, I was impressed

Michelangelo was beaten by

by his art works, which were astonishing and are still equally

his father and uncle for

praised.

displaying an interest in the

I think Michelangelos 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 Michelangelos personality in a social manner.
The Pieta for example was considered majestic when it was first
displayed to the public, its 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 doesnt
reflect his personality entirely, but it does exhibit his behavior
during the situation.

fine arts, as he grew older

and gained a reputation his
family was more incline to
allow Michelangelo to study
sculpting. Although
Michelangelos reputations
gained him wealth, he did
struggle financially, due to
the completion of the work.
While researching I read that
Michelangelos 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

I thought that Michelangelos relationship with his father is

complex due to the fact that he didnt fully accept Michelangelos
career or display affections toward his son. While researching I

brothers, which to me is odd,

considering the neglect that
was inflicted upon him.

Maria Gomez

Art 1020

WORKS CITED
George Bull. MICHELANGELO: A Biography. 1995. St. Martins
Press, New York.
King, Ross. Michelangelo and the Popes Ceiling. 2003.
Walker Publishing Company.
Pullella, Philip. Vatican marks anniversary of 1972 attack on
Michelangelos 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.

Professor Reynolds