Michelangelo Buonarroti 6 March 1475 18 February 1564

Michelangelo Buonarroti 6 March 1475 – 18 February 1564

Michelangelo Born in Caprese, Italy, outside of Florence, on March 6, 1475 Thought to be the greatest artist who ever lived: sculptor, painter, architect, etc. Died in Rome on February 18, 1564, at the age of 89

Michelangelo lived during the Renaissance Period Renaissance means "to be born again" Viewed as a bridge between the Middle Ages (illiteracy, wars, disease and barbaric invasions) and the Modern Era (emphasis placed on education, strong centralized governments and an appreciation of the Arts). Leonardo Da. Vinci and Raphael were also influential painters during the Renaissance.

Michelangelo as a Sculptor Between 1492 and 1505 Michelangelo completed two of his most famous stone works. The Pietà (1498 -1499) and David (15011504).

The Pietà Created for St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Rome. It can still be seen there today, and is the only work that Michelangelo ever signed. (Michel Angelus Bonarotus Florent Facibat)

David His most famous sculpture, it resides in the Accademia museum in Florence, Italy Carved out of a single slab of stone, the statue is 14. 24 ft tall From the Biblical story of David and Goliath, it was meant to symbolize the heroic courage of the people of Florence

Michelangelo and his painting He primarily used a technique called Fresco (fresh). Fresco is painting with water based pigment (coloring powder) onto a layer of plaster that is still wet. When the plaster dries, the color becomes a permanent part of the finished surface. Fresco was perfected in Italy during the 14 th century and was used by many Renaissance artists. The most famous fresco painting was Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel in Rome.

The Sistine Chapel Commissioned by Pope Julius ll to sculpt a tomb, but the project was switched to painting the chapel ceiling instead He was given carte blanche, and painted his vision of the Old Testament stories in 9 large rectangular panels. Painted on his back, using custom scaffolding 59 feet above the floor Completed between 1508 -1512. He said of the work, “After 4 tortured years, I felt as old and as weary as Jeremiah. I was only 37, yet friends did not recognize the old man I had become. ”

The Creation of Adam Depicts God, the father creating Adam, the first man and was amongst the last panels to be completed, telling the story of Genesis.

The focal point of this painting of the Creation of Adam is the contact between the fingers of God and those of Adam, through which the breath of life is transmitted. Publicity poster for the film E. T. the Extra. Terrestrial was modelled after the painting

Michelangelo suffered permanent back and eye injuries from his 4 years of painting the ceiling of the Sistine chapel. Michelangelo continued to sculpt, paint and design buildings up until his death in 1564. He is buried in Santa Croce Cathedral, in Florence Italy.