Michelangelo (1475-1564)

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, commonly known as Michelangelo, was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet. He was born on March 6, 1475, in Caprese, Italy, and died on February 18, 1564, in Rome, Italy. Michelangelo is considered one of the greatest artists in history and had a significant influence on Western art.

Michelangelo's artistic career spanned over seven decades, and his works are renowned for their exceptional beauty, technical skill, and emotional intensity. He excelled in multiple artistic mediums, including sculpture, painting, and architecture, and his contributions greatly impacted the Renaissance and Mannerist art movements.

Some of Michelangelo's most famous works include:

1. Sculpture:
- "David" (1501-1504): A colossal marble statue depicting the biblical hero David.
- "Pietà" (1498-1499): A marble sculpture depicting the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary.
- "Moses" (1513-1515): A marble sculpture depicting the biblical figure Moses.

2. Painting:
- Sistine Chapel Ceiling (1508-1512): A series of frescoes painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City. It includes the iconic "Creation of Adam" scene.
- "The Last Judgment" (1536-1541): A fresco located on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, depicting the second coming of Christ and the final judgment of souls.

3. Architecture:
- St. Peter's Basilica (1546-1564): Michelangelo was involved in the design and construction of the world's largest Christian church, located in Vatican City.

Michelangelo's works reflected his deep understanding of human anatomy, as well as his ability to capture human emotions and convey a sense of grandeur and spiritual intensity. His art had a profound impact on subsequent generations of artists and continues to be celebrated and admired to this day.