Michelangelo Buonarroti

Birth of an artist

Mar 6, 1475

Michelangelo Buonarroti was born in Florence Italy .His father's name was Ludovico di Leonardo di Buonarotto Simoni and his mother's was Francesca Neri.He had four brothers,their names lost to time.On the day of Michelangelo's birth his father commented:"Today March 6, 1475, a child of the male sex has been born to me and I have named him Michelangelo. He was born on Monday between 4 and 5 in the morning, at Caprese, where I am the Podestà."

Early life

Period: Mar 6, 1475 to Jan 1, 1504

Michelangelo Buonarroti's life span

Period: Mar 6, 1475 to Feb 18, 1564

Second family

Jan 1, 1476

Michelangelo's mother was too weak to care for him so it was a wet nurse and her husband who raised young michelangelo.Michelangelo's mother died when michelangelo was just six years of age.this tragic event may have been the cause of michelangelo's arrogant personality.

Artistic apprentice Michelangelo

Jan 1, 1488

(exact date unknown)Michelangelo became apprentice to florencian artist:Domenico Ghirlandaio.After a year of study in the art of fresco (painting) Michelangelo joined a sculpture school in the medici gardens.

studies of anatomy

Jan 1, 1489

While studying in the Medici gardens Michelangelo studied human corpses in graveyards to learn about Anatomy.This was strictly forbiden by the Roman Catholic Church ,and in return for the local priests silence Michelangelo carved him a crusifix of Jesus Christ being crucifieid.

Battle of the Centaurs

Jan 1, 1490

this was Michelangelo's first famous piece of art which shows a battle between centaurs and humans.

Madona of the stairs

Jan 1, 1491

Bacchus

Jan 1, 1496

When Michelangelo went to study sculpure in Rome italy he was amazed with the sculpures and other pieces of art.these pieces inspired him to create his first large scale sculpure: Baccus.

Pieta

Jan 1, 1500

In this sculpture there is youthfull pieta holding the corpse of jesus christ.Instead of having an expresion of grief as most think she is restrained from showing sadness.after created Michelangelo over heard a forigener remark this was created by Christoforo Solari.The enraged michelangelo carved this script on pieta following that remark.: ''MICHEL ANGELUS BONAROTUS FLORENT FACIBAT'' (Michelangelo Buonarroti, Florentine, made this). that was the only time he signed any of his pieces

David

Jan 1, 1504

Some may say this is the greatest of all Michelangelo's sculptures.When michelangelo returned to Florence from Rome the citzens had donated a ninteen foot high block of marble for the artist to carve a colassal David.It took him three years to carve this massive art piece.when finished it calmed down the citzens who had endured a civil war.

Michelangelo the painter

Jan 2, 1504

While constructing the David michelangelo was comishined to paint the the Battle of Cascina this project would be nothing in comparison to his future asignment:the cieling of the sistine chapel in Vatican City

Mid life

Period: Jan 1, 1505 to Jan 1, 1535

Sistine chapel cieling

Apr 1, 1508

In april 1508 pope julius II summoned Michelangelo back to Rome.The pope Had a new job for him:to paint the cieling of the Sistine chapel in Vatican city.At first the artist refused but he was forced to create it by the Pope.In May michelangelo started drawing the plans for the paintings,it was not until the fall that he started painting.It took four long years to finish all the pictures and remove the scafolding

Dying slave

Jan 1, 1513

this sculpture shows a slave perishing and suffering for an unclear reason.Michelangelo also carved this to show his skill of carving to Pope Julius II.

Moses

Jan 1, 1515

the sculpture Moses was created for Pope julius II's tomb.though created for a sad reason it is a symbol of the christian relligon and as Michelangelo's skill in sculpture

Laurentian Library

Jan 1, 1519

Michelangelo designed the Laurentian library to test his skill as an architect.the library was so well constructed that even today it stands,even through the many stages of seige in florence.

Michelangelo the military strategist

Jan 1, 1528

During the seige of florence in 1528 the city requested mMchelangelo design a way to protect the florencian church.Clever Michelangelo lined the church with mattresess to protect it from impact.

Farewell to Florence Forever

Jan 1, 1534

in 1534 Michelangelo left Florence forever. this was caused by his hatred for the present monarch and mis conceptions between the citzens of florence.He left for Rome where he would live under the protection of Pope Clement VII.Shortly before leaving he commented:"I never knew a people more ungrateful and arrogant than the Florentines."

Vittora colana

Jan 1, 1534

while painting last judgement Michelangelo met a poetress named vittora colana.thay both shared the same faith and they became good friends,some may say more than friends.when she died michelangelo was depresesed for many years after.

Last judgement

Sep 25, 1534

This painting was the largest of that century.it was also supervised
by Paul III succesor of the previous pope because the earlier pope died Two days after the last judgement began.

Final years

Period: Jan 1, 1536 to Feb 18, 1564

St.Peters Basilca

Jan 1, 1546

Michelangelo became the chief architect to st.peters basilca despite his age (he was in his 70s).he claimed he accepted this position gladly because he wished to serve god one last time.Here is a letter to his nephew during construction:Many believe, -- and I believe -- that I have been designated for this work by God. In spite of my old age, I do not want to give it up; I work out of love for God and I put all my hope in Him."

The Rondanini Pieta

Jan 1, 1550

This pieta was the last of Michlangelo's famous sculptures.Created for Michelangelo's tomb the Rondanini Pieta as a symbol of Michelangelo's solitude in the final years of his life

Beyond the reach of time

Feb 18, 1564

Michelangelo Buonarroti passed into the afterlife february 18th
1564 CE.Today Michelangelo is still remembered as one of the most outstanding artists in human history.His mighty David still stands tall guarding the city of Florence,his painting of the Sistine Chapel cieling in Vatican City remains to awe the world.