Michelangelo Buonarroti, born on March 6, 1475, in the quaint Tuscan town of Caprese, was destined to become one of the most influential figures of the High Renaissance. Beginning his artistic journey as a pupil of Ghirlandaio in Florence, Michelangelo was deeply influenced by traditional Florentine artists such as Giotto and Masaccio.
His sculptural talents caught the eye of Lorenzo de Medici, who became his early patron. From 1496 to 1501, Michelangelo resided in Rome, where he sculpted the transcendent Pietà, forever cementing his reputation. However, it was the iconic statue of David, completed in Florence when Michelangelo was just 30 years old, that catapulted him to unprecedented fame.
In 1508, he received the monumental commission to paint the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel's vault, a project that he completed in 1512. Later, Michelangelo transitioned his focus to architecture and took over the direction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, where he resided until his death on February 18, 1564.
Alongside Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo is hailed as a multi-talented maestro, excelling in architecture, painting, sculpture, and poetry. His contributions to art and architecture remain unparalleled examples of Renaissance brilliance to this day.