Michelangelo

Birth

Mar 6, 1475

Michelangelo was born on March 6,1475 in a small village of Caprese, Italy. He was the son of a government administrator. Michelangelo grew up in Florence and became artist's apprentice at age 13 (History.com).

Copenhagen University Found

Jun 1, 1479

Copenhagen University is one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe which first consisted of theology, law, medicine, and philosophy (UOCH). It later evolved into a modern school for many students. The University was important because it helped open up learning and teaching ways for many people.

Education

1488

Chirlandaio was said to have taught Michelangelo drawing and fresco painting. He entered the sculpture school at age 14. He later went to live with Lorenzo in the heart of the Renaissance (Coughlan page 45). After moving, he worked under Bertoldo and went to Bertoldo's School at the Medici Gardens to make sculptures (Coughlan page 46). Then his career started to kick off after receiving this education.

Madonna of the Stairs

1491

One of Michelangelo's first artworks was Madonna of the stairs (Coughlan page 47). He made this while he was at Bertoldo's school. It is a sculpture of a man holding an infant with drapes half covering his head.

Pieta

1498

Pieta is a 6 foot sculpture of Mary holding the dead Jesus across her lap (Biography.com). It is made from a piece of Carrara marble. Michelangelo made this masterpiece in less than one year where it was later placed in the church of the cardinal's tomb.

First black-lead pencils used in England

1500

The first use of black-lead pencils was seen in Cumbria, England (BBC.com). The reason that graphite was used is because it was pure and solid and it could easily be sawn into sticks. The local farmers also found it useful for marking sheep. This invention was important because it helped many people like farmers and artists.

David

1501

David is about 4 meters high and is made of two abandoned sculptures that were put together to make one big art piece. David expresses heroism, it imitates the perfection of ancient sculpture, and it shows a boy that looks capable of winning a battle (Santini page 21).

Mural for Florence City Hall

1505

Michelangelo painted military scenes in the Florence City Hall. He started to work on a group of 12 marble apostles (History.com) but later abandoned the project when he decided to work on another project for the Pope. These paintings have not survived.

Tomb for Pope Julius II

1505

Michelangelo was commissioned to make a tomb for Pope Julius II in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. He was able to make 40 sculptures for the tomb (History.com) but the pope ran out of money for him to make any more.

War between Russia and Poland

1512

The war of 1812 was due to the tension between both countries (Onwar.com). The Russians invaded Poland seeking to capture one of their trading centers. This is an important war because it led to a treaty between both countries that lasted 5 years.

Sistine Chapel

Oct 31, 1512

Michelangelo's paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel incorporate the Christian symbology, prophecy, and humanist principles (Biography.com). There were said to have been 300 figures on the ceiling. The work had to be removed and then recreated due to fungus in the plaster. He fired all of his assistants and finished the work on his own.

Domenico de Pineda explores Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Vera Cruz

1519

Pineda was a spanish explore. He made several expeditions to the western coastlines of the Gulf of Mexico (Reginaldoexplorers.com). He entered a bay in 1519 and explored the coast that contained many Native American settlements. He saw about 40 settlements and named this area "Espíritu Santo". This is important due to the fact that he found land for his country.

Last Judgement

1541

The Last Judgement was an art piece contained in the Sistine Chapel. The figures seen in this art piece contained nudity that many people thought was unholy for a church. But Michelangelo went against this outcry and inserted new portrayals, of his chief critic as a devil and himself as the flayed St. Bartholomew. (Biography.com)

Turks fail to capture Malta but take Tripoli

1551

The failed attack on Malta was followed up by the successful capture of Tripoli. The army didn't attack Malta at first because they looked to well fortified to be conquered (Battles & Sieges). So the army decided to go to the neighboring land of Tripoli. People were taken captive and the Turks came out on top. This is important because it shows the strengths of the Turks and it helped gain them a good reputation.

"The Sack-Full of Newes" first England play to be censored

1557

Shakespeare wrote a play called "The Sack-Full of Newes" to be performed for the Lord Mayor. The play was known as "lewd" (Malone page 418). The reason it was censored was due to the fact that it was being played in front of the Lord Mayor and not the ordinary people. The play was able to be non censored when played for others. This event shows how society was taking a step towards respect and maturity.

Death

Feb 18, 1564

Michelangelo died at his home in Macel de'Corvi Rome (Biography.com) because of a brief illness. His body was brought back to Florence where he was laid to rest at the Basilica di Santa Croce. He was said to be honored by the people as "father and master of all the arts."