Michelangelo

Buonarroti
(self portrait)

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

Early Years
After he was born his
mother was too ill to care
for him, so he lived with a
stone-mason's family until
he was 10 years old.
As a child, he was always
surrounded by chisels and
stone. He joked that this
was why he loved to
sculpt.
His mother died when he
was 6. His childhood was
lacking in affection, and he
retained a taciturn (bad)
disposition his whole life.

Michelangelo lived
during the Renaissance
Period

Renaissance means "to be born again"

From the 14th to the 17th century

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 DaVinci and Raphael were also
influential painters during the Renaissance.

Michelangel
o:

His
beginnings
in Art
(Battle of the Centaurs, done when
he was only 16 years old)

His father recognized his intelligence, and his talent with

drawing and painting. At age 14, he sent him to study
under professional painters and sculptors.
Michelangelo's work caught the attention of the wealthy
and powerful art patron Lorenzo de Medici. Medici invited
him to come work in Florence. He was now paid to create
his art.

Michelangelo as a Sculptor
Michelangelo in his
heart considered
himself a sculptor
first, a painter
second.
He was happiest and
most proud of his
sculpting works.
Between 1492 and
1505 Michelangelo
completed two of his
most famous stone
works...The Pieta
(1498-1499) and
David (1501-1504).

The Pieta
Created for St. Peters 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

Michelangel
o 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 14th 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 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.
Contains approx. 400 life size figures,
over a space of 5600 square feet
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.
By not painting the fingers of God and Adam
touching and leaving a small space between the
two, Michelangelo creates a tingling feeling as you
anticipate them finally touching.
Publicity poster for the film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
was modeled after the painting

Michelangelo suffered
permanent back and eye
injuries from his 4 years of
painting the ceiling of the
Sistine chapel.
His major works in his later
years include the Tomb of
Julius II, the dome and altar
area of St. Peters Basilica,
and The Last Judgment
fresco
Michelangelo continued to
sculpt, paint and design
buildings up until his death
in 1564.
He is buried in Santa Croce
Cathedral, in Florence Italy.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1.) During what time period did
Michelangelo live?
2.) What type of art was his
favorite?
3.) What method of painting did
he most often use?

ART AWARENESS
PROJECT
We are going to try to draw the way Michelangelo did while creating
his masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel ON OUR
BACKS!