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Michelangelo (my kel AN jel oh) was born in Italy in the village of Caprese. His father was a government agent. He attended school, and at the age of 12 he became an apprentice to a famous painter in Florence, Domenico Ghirlandajo.
After a year or so he stopped painting and began working as a sculptor. It was during this time that he lived with the Medici (MED ee chee) family, an influential Italian family. When they lost power he went to Rome, and it was there he carved the marble sculpture "Pieta"* (pea ay TAH) when he was 23 years old. The sculpture shows Mary holding the lifeless body of Jesus after He was taken down from the cross. Such a marvelous work, and only the first of many larger than life statues he would create.
Pope Julius II commissioned him to paint the ceiling of the Sistine chapel in the Vatican at Rome. This became his most famous work. It covered 1,000 square yards and showed nine scenes from the Old Testament; three each of the Creation of the world, Adam and Eve, and Noah. There were also pictures of Old Testament prophets and other figures. He began the work in 1508 and finished it in 1512. Julius II also wanted Michelangelo to carve statues for his tomb. He originally wanted 40 marble statues, but only three were completed.
Michaelangelo portrait by Daniele da Volterra
When the Medici returned to power, he spent nearly twenty years working for them designing their tombs and the Medici Chapel.
The next ten years were spent in Rome working for Pope Paul III. During this time he painted "The Last Judgment" and started the construction of the dome in St. Peter's Church.
Michelangelo at the end of his productive life was 89 years old.
*(A pieta is a painting or sculpture of Mary holding and grieving over the dead body of Christ. The word "pieta" means "pity". Many such paintings and sculptures have been done.)
Larger view
In 2005 we visited Rome and saw the Pieta. Several years ago a crazed person attacked the sculpture and broke it. They were able to repair it, but after that event they enclosed it in a glass case so people cannot get near it.
This is a view of the dome of St. Peter's Church at the Vatican in Rome.
Pieta
with details from Olga's Gallery
Michaelangelo Biography
from Olga's Gallery
Michaelangelo Biography
from World of Biography
Sistine Chapel
view ceiling scenes at the Vatican Museums
Sistine Chapel
from the Web Gallery of Art
Search Artist Index - M - Michaelangelo - Frescos in the Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo Buonarroti
Buonarroti Michelangelo
Online book
At biography.com search for Michelangelo.
Scroll the panel for the "Video & Audio Results".
The Pieta
Michelangelo Buonarroti
Buy this Giclee Print at AllPosters.com
The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo
By Irving Stone / Penguin Putnam Inc.
The passionate biographical novel of Michelangelo. His time - the turbulent Renaissance, the years of poisoning princes, warring Popes, the all-powerful de'Medici family, the fanatic monk Savonarola... His loves - the frail and lovely daughter of Lorenzo de'Medici; the ardent mistress of Marco Aldovrandi; and his last love, his greatest love - the beautiful, unhappy Vittoria Colonna... His genius - a God-driven fury from which he wrested the greatest art the world has ever known...
Short Lessons in Art History: Artists and Their Work
By Phyllis Clausen Barker / Walch Education
Short Lessons in Art History is a fantastic introduction to the artists who have shaped the artistic world from Giotto in 1266 to Alexander Calder in 1976. Each artist's life is explored, along with their major works, public reaction, and impact upon the world and art after their deaths. Approximately 3-4 pages are given to each of the 38 artists featured, with black and white images of one of their most famous works. A center section contains full color plates. Glossary words are included at the end of each chapter. 217 pages, softcover. Grades 6-12.
Page Comments
Most Recent Comments ( See more comments on this page ) 2010-01-06
Love the website! Found a few mistakes on Michelangelo's pages---judgment, not jugdment..Sistine, not Sistene...Ghirlandaio, not Ghirlandajo...I have revised the word search if interested.
Julie (j4m2g3_AT_yahoo_DOT_com)2009-12-10
THIS IS A COOL WEBSITE!
Kyle (ksfrasier_AT_yahoo_DOT_com)
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