MAKING HISTORY Michelangelo – The Greatest Artist?
CHRONOLOGICAL AWARENESS
●● 1475 Born near Florence ●● Apprentice to Master Ghirlandaio in Florence ●● Studied sculpture in Medici’s sculpture garden ●● Carved Pieta in Rome ●● Carved David in Florence ●● Painted ceiling of Sistine Chapel in Rome ●● Designed dome of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome ●● 1564 Died in Rome
Michelangelo 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 Pieta. For the rest of his life he worked between Florence and Rome. He died in Rome in 1564.
How was Michelangelo historically significant?
What do these figures tell you about Leonardo and Michelangelo?
Paintings Sculptures Architecture
Works of Art Leonardo Michelangelo 15–25
9
None None
42 5
How good was Michelangelo as a sculptor? Pieta
What is Carrara marble?
Michelangelo’s first great work of art was the Pieta, which is in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Michelangelo carved the Pieta 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.
