Michelangelo Buonarroti ( * 1475 † 1564 )

Artist Michelangelo (Buonarroti)

Discover the world-renowned art of Michelangelo – the universal genius of the High Renaissance. His works such as "David," the "Pietà," or the paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel impress with an extraordinary blend of perfection, beauty, and grace. Bring a piece of art history into your home – as a high-quality art print, stylishly framed canvas, or handmade painting in your desired size!

Michelangelo was born on March 6, 1475, in Caprese, Tuscany, and grew up in Florence—the cultural center of the early Renaissance. Even at a young age, his extraordinary artistic talent was evident. At 14, he began an apprenticeship with the painter Domenico Ghirlandaio, but soon turned to sculpture, his true medium of expression. Lorenzo de Medici, the most significant art patron of the time, recognized the exceptional skill of the young Michelangelo and welcomed him into his circle, laying the foundation for his future career.

Between 1496 and 1501, Michelangelo stayed in Rome, where he created the "Pietà," one of his earliest and most famous works. This sculpture, which displayed an extraordinary sensitivity of expression and technical mastery, established his reputation as a great sculptor. In Florence, the "David" followed, another milestone. This larger-than-life marble sculpture is still considered a symbol of the ideals of the High Renaissance—the fusion of physical perfection and intellectual strength. By the age of thirty, Michelangelo had risen to become a celebrated artist, whose name was mentioned alongside Leonardo da Vinci.

From 1508, Michelangelo increasingly devoted himself to painting and was commissioned by Pope Julius II to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. In four years, he created a monumental work that impresses not only with its vast dimensions but above all with its expressive, anatomically precise depiction of biblical scenes. The portrayal of Adam receiving the spark of life from God is one of the most iconic motifs in art history. Although he always considered himself a sculptor, Michelangelo demonstrated his mastery in painting with this work.

In 1534, Michelangelo moved permanently to Rome, where he spent the last decades of his life. During this time, he increasingly turned to architecture and significantly shaped the image of the Eternal City. In 1547, he was entrusted with the construction of the new St. Peter's Basilica, where he gave the dome its characteristic appearance.

Michelangelo, along with Leonardo da Vinci, completed the High Renaissance and was as versatile as he was significant. He died on February 18, 1564, in Rome. His work lives on as one of the greatest legacies of Western art history.

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All images by Michelangelo Buonarroti

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