The Life and Accomplishments of Michelangelo Buonarotti

The Birth of Michelangelo

Mar 6, 1475

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni was born on March 6, 1475 in Caprese, Italy. His parents, Lodovico Buonarroti and Francesca di Neri del Miniato di Siena were Florentine bankers and made their money off of the family banking business (Barter 70). Francesca died when Michelangelo was only 6. He had one brother named Leonardo, and three other brothers would come in later years (www.thefamouspeople.com). It was significant because it was the beginning of an amazing art period.

First Apprenticeship

Mar 28, 1488

In 1488, at the age of 13, Michelangelo moved to Florence on his own to pursue art. Michelangelo started working as an apprentice to famous Italian painter, Domenico Ghirlandaio (Barter 70). It was Ghirlandaio who taught Michelangelo the ancient techniques of fresco paintings. Many conflicts occurred during his time there and sadly, his apprenticeship was cut short. It was significant because the skills in sculpting and painting that he was taught would stay with him forever.

Christopher Columbus

Oct 28, 1492

On October 28, 1492, Christopher Columbus arrived with his men and the three ships, La Pinta, La Niña and La Santa María on the island of Cuba. The voyage was commissioned by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella from Spain, in return for the title of Admiral of the Ocean Sea. He was the first one to bring the news of the "West Indies" to Europe and the Old World (www.cubahistory.org). It was significant because his expedition opened up the half of the world for resources, trade, and interaction.

Pieta

May 2, 1498

The Pieta was Michelangelo's first official sculpture that he created from 1498-1499. It shows Mary holding Jesus in her lap after his crucifixion. Many people didn't believe that he was the creator because it was very advanced for a 24 year old so he engraved his name on the sash (Barter 72). A cardinal, Jean de Billheres commissioned it to go into a side chapel in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome (www.italianrenaissance.org). It was significant because it was the start of his prosperous career.

Scuba Diving Gear

Nov 3, 1500

While Leonardo da Vinci was living in Venice, he created an invention to allow humans to sabotage ships underwater. The suit was made of leather, a protected facemask with built-in googles, and a breathing tube that reached the surface and attached to a floating bell made of cork. A diver named Jacquie Cozens tested out a successful self-built model of da Vinci's suit in 2003. This invention was significant because it was the start to a modern era of designs and creations (theculturetrip.com).

David

Dec 3, 1501

Michelangelo began to sculpt David at 27 years old for a cathedral roof in Florence. He was offered 6 gold florins a month to sculpt the famous biblical hero which is equal to only about 840 USD today. Unlike others, Michelangelo sculpted him as a strong teenager who defeated Goliath (Barter 74). Michelangelo finished the statue of David in 1504, three years after it was commissioned and it never made it onto the roof (Carr viii). It was significant because it was his first major work of art.

Pope Julius' Papal Tomb

Jun 14, 1505

In 1505, Michelangelo was summoned by Pope Julius to create his papal tomb for Vatican City. He had a request to have it made out of Carrara marble from quarries in north. As he designed the tomb of Julius II, he realized that the initial statues, Rebellious Slave and Dying Slave were too large for the spot. He replaced the spot with two women of the Bible, Rachel and Leah that stand on the sides of Moses (Carr viii). It is significant because it is one of the most visited spots in Vatican City.

The Sistine Chapel

Nov 2, 1508

The Sistine Chapel was commissioned by Pope Julius II and it took Michelangelo four years to finish. The ceiling features three frescoes portraying the creation and downfall of Adam and Eve (www.khanacademy.org). The entire ceiling is 133' x 46' and it includes a total of 47 frescoes ranging in size. He was paid a total of 3500 ducats for the project and he constantly demanded more (Barter 75-76). It is significant because it is one of his most famous works of art that is well preserved.

Medici Family

Jan 13, 1515

After the Sistine Chapel, he moved back to Florence to work for the Medici family, the leading bankers of Italy. Until 1534, he designed the San Lorenzo Library, the Medici Chapel, and the Laurentian Library for the Medici fortresses in the Tuscan region (Carr ix). Before he could finish his work on the chapel and library, he fled Florence from the first duke with whom he did not get along with (http://www.accademia.org). It is significant because it was the start of his career in architecture.

The Protestant Reformation

Mar 4, 1517

The Protestant Reformation was a redemption of the diverse religions in Europe to papal authority that was started by Martin Luther. Him and other representatives, such as John Calvin and Henry III questioned the Catholic Church and their ability to define Christian practice. They wanted a more diverse redistribution of power in the Church. This was significant because it began the Counter-Reformation and it was a long, yet affective response that lead to the new Church (www.history.com).

Hernando Cortez

Feb 27, 1520

In 1520, Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortes conquered Mexico. After being almost defeated by Montezuma, Cortes re-organized his forces and in 1521 returned to Tenochtitlán. A newly built settlement, Mexico City was created on over it. It was the heart of Mexico, and Cortes gained control over the whole population. In 1523 Hernando Cortes was named governor and captain general of new Spain (http://www.bbc.co.uk). It was significant because it started the large colonization of the New World.

The Last Judgement

May 16, 1536

Pope Paul III hired him to paint The Last Judgement behind the altar of the Sistine Chapel which he worked on for 5 years (Carr ix). Many of his painting themes dealt with death, religion, and salvation. The Last Judgement was a turning point in his style because of its crowded frame and struggling figures, Pope Paul IV wanted it destroyed for its nudity (Lace 82-84). It is significant because it is one of the most famous frescoes in the world and it represents the change in his career.

Nicolaus Copernicus

May 24, 1543

In 1543, Nicolaus Copernicus' book, "On the Revolution of Heavenly Bodies" was published. It represented his heliocentric theory that earth revolves around the sun and not the geocentric theory that everything revolves around earth (www.biography.com). He was presented with the full copy of his book in May, 1543 and he was said to have been clutching his book when he died in bed. This book and discovery was very significant because it changed the face of the entire world of science.

St. Peter's Basilica

Apr 14, 1546

In 1546, Michelangelo was yet again commissioned by Pope Paul III to continue the work on the new St. Peter's Basilica after the previous architect, Giulio Romano had died. He was forced to take the job despite his opinion (http://www.michelangelo.net). He did not want to alter the original work of the architect Donato Bramante so he returned to that plan and left it for other people to build (Orleans 5). It is significant because it was starting the downfall of his long and busy career.

Church of England

Aug 23, 1563

The 39 Articles form the basic summary of the Church of England. They were created in 1563 after the 42 Articles from 1553 in which Clergymen were forced to follow by Act of Parliament. The Articles are phrased very loosely so that they can be interpreted different ways for varying situations that occur. The Church still requires ministers to vow their faith to the Articles and they are significant because the Articles are still the basis of the Church of England (http://www.victorianweb.org)

Death

Feb 18, 1564

Michelangelo died peacefully in his home in Rome surrounded by his friends and family (Carr ix). His death came as a surprise, following a brief sickness a few days previous. His nephew secretly hired someone to bring the body to Florence to be buried in his designated spot at The Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence made by Filippo Brunelleschi (www.biography.com). It is significant because it marked the end of "il divino" or "the divine one", as many Italians called him (www.khanacademy.org).