People in history: Michelangelo

1. Michelangelo
Michelangelo was born near Florence. His father recognised his artistic talent and sent him
to be apprenticed. Lorenzo de Medici became a patron of Michelangelo when he brought
him to his sculpting school. While he was in Florence Michelangelo was also a noted poet.
When de Medici dies Michelangelo left for Rome. It was here he sculpted the famous statue
‘The Pieta’. This depicts a dead Jesus lying in the arms of his mother Mary. It was crafted out
of white marble.
Following this he returned to Florence where he was asked to sculpt a piece to celebrate a
victory over France. He sculpted the statute of David. This was a massive life like sculptor
depicting David following his victory over Goliath.
Michelangelo was then commissioned by Pope Julius II to paint the ceiling of the Sistine
Chapel in the Vatican. This took Michelangelo four years to complete. He completed the
painting by lying on his back very close to the ceiling. The painting depicts different scenes
from the bible. He used painting techniques such as sfumato and perspective on the ceiling.
The ceiling has over three hundred figures in all. When he had completed this he was asked
to then paint a huge Fresco called ‘The Last Judgement’. This was painted on the wall behind
the altar.
Michelangelo was not just a talented artist he was also an architect. He designed the new
Dome for St. Peter’s Basilica. He also designed the tomb for Pope Julius II. It took forty years
to complete. Michelangelo was almost 90 when he died.