HOW IS THE RENAISSANCE HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT? Michelangelo – The Greatest Artist?
What contribution did Michelangelo make to changes in the Arts and sciences?
Michelangelo was born near Florence in 1475. He was apprenticed to Master Ghirlandaio. Later he trained at the sculpture school set up by Lorenzo de Medici, ruler of Florence and patron of the Arts. Michelangelo was invited to Rome to carve the Pietà. For the rest of his life he worked between Florence and Rome, where the Popes acted as important patrons of the Arts.
Michelangelo preferred sculpture to painting. He said, ‘Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the job of the sculptor to discover it.’
He died in Rome in 1564. ●
How was Michelangelo historically significant? Works of Art Leonardo
Paintings Sculptures Architecture
Pietà
Michelangelo’s first great work of art was the Pietà, which is in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Michelangelo carved the Pietà from a block of Carrara marble. ● Michelangelo carved the idealised (perfect) human form in the head of Mary. He said she could not age because she was so pure. His sculpture of the dead Christ was very realistic. He was helped by his study of Ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, and by dissecting dead bodies.
The Pietà in St Peter’s Church, Rome. Why is the Pietà considered a great work of art? Do you agree? Michelangelo was very religious. How does this show in his works?
Did You Know?
Pietà is the only work of art signed by Michelangelo.
91 15–25
No confirmed sculptures None
1 How good was Michelangelo as a sculptor?
6
Explain how the achievements of Michelangelo shaped the Renaissance