Michelangelo, born in 1475, was an Italian painter, poet, architect, and sculptor. He’s most well known today for his incredibly detailed and realistic sculptures as well as his work on the World famous Sistine Chapel.
Michelangelo was born into a middle-class family of bankers in Tuscany, Italy. Due to his mother’s ill health, he was sent to live with his nanny. The nanny was married to a stonecutter who worked in a marble quarry. Michelangelo continued to live with the couple, even after his mother died, and it’s believed that this is what led to his fascination with marble.
At the age of 13 Michelangelo was sent to apprentice at a well-known studio. A year later he was chosen to attend the Medici family’s Humanist academy, where he encountered the historic sculptures in the palace of Lorenzo under the guidance of his sculptor mentor. During this time he was also granted permission to study dead bodies in a hospital so that he could better understand human anatomy.
All of these experiences laid the groundwork for Michelangelo to become one of the greatest sculptors to have ever lived, yet it’s a painting that he was, and still is, most renowned for. Starting in 1508, Michelangelo spent the next 4 years painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. It still exists today and is one of the finest examples of a Renaissance fresco and, in fact, one of the greatest masterpieces to have ever been completed.
The Renaissance movement was in full swing, and rivalries between Renaissance artists abound. The rivalry between Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci, for example, was legendary and the two artists often competed for grand commissions. These two artists, along with Raphael, were three of the most prominent figures of the Renaissance.
Michelangelo continued to work all the way up until his death in 1564 at the age of 88.
1. Crucifixion
This nude Sculpture, ‘Crucifixion’ was created in 1540 by Michelangelo in Mannerism (Late Renaissance) style.
2. Madonna Of The Stairs
The Madonna of the Stairs is a relief sculpture by Michelangelo made in the year c.1490 in High Renaissance style.
3. The Torment Of Saint Anthony
‘The Torment of Saint Anthony’ is the earliest known painting by Michelangelo created in the year c.1487 in Early Renaissance style.
4. Bacchus
‘Bacchus’ is a marble sculpture created during 1496/1497 by Michelangelo in High Renaissance style.
5. Angel With Candlestick
‘Angel with Candlestick’ was created in 1495 by Michelangelo in High Renaissance style.
6. The Entombment
The Entombment is an unfinished oil-on-panel painting of the burial of Jesus made in the year c.1501 in High Renassaince style.
7. St. Paul
‘St. Paul’ was created in 1504 by Michelangelo in High Renaissance style.
8. Pius
‘Pius’ is one of several figurative sculptures created in 1504 by Michelangelo in High Renaissance style.
9. Madonna And Child
‘Madonna and Child’ was created in 1505 by Michelangelo in High Renaissance style.
10. Holy Family With St. John The Baptist
‘Holy Family with St. John the Baptist’ was created in c.1506 by Michelangelo in High Renaissance style.
11. Ignudo
‘Ignudo’ was created in c.1509 by Michelangelo in High Renaissance style.
12. Ceiling Of The Sistine Chapel. Sybils Erithraea
‘Ceiling Of The Sistine Chapel. Sybils Erithraea’ was created in c.1509 by Michelangelo in High Renaissance style.
13. Putti
‘Putti’ was created in 1511 by Michelangelo in High Renaissance style.
14. The Prophet Jonah
The Prophet Jonah is one of the seven Old Testament prophets painted by Michelangelo in the year 1511 in High Renaissance style.
15. The Prophet Daniel
‘The Prophet Daniel‘ was created in 1511 by Michelangelo in High Renaissance style.