Michelangelo Buonarroti

The marble block of David: Michelangelo Buonarroti sculpted David from a block of marble that had been considered unusable by other artists. After studying it, he understood how to transform it into a masterpiece, thus showing his extraordinary ability to “free” the figure from the marble, as if it were already there waiting to be revealed.

Conflicts with Pope Julius II: Michelangelo had a complex relationship with Pope Julius II, his patron and commissioner of several works. During the construction of the monumental tomb of Julius II, the two had several clashes. The design of the tomb, which was supposed to be grand and complex, was scaled down several times because of disagreements between the artist and the pope. However, works such as the famous Moses were born from this project.

The Last Judgment and Censorship: The Last Judgment, painted on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, aroused controversy because of the nude figures, considered too bold for a religious work. After Michelangelo’s death, Daniele da Volterra, his pupil, was commissioned to cover the nudity with draperies, earning him the nickname “Braghettone.”

Technique and Style: Michelangelo Buonarroti is famous for his approach to sculpture and painting, characterized by a constant search for a balance between form and content. His figures are powerful, dynamic and often express deep emotional tension. Michelangelo studied anatomy scrupulously to be able to represent the muscles and posture of his subjects with precision.

In painting, Michelangelo carried forward the use of chiaroscuro to give depth to figures and accentuate the realism of forms. However, his experience as a sculptor also led him to depict solid, almost sculpted bodies in his frescoes, a distinctive feature that differentiated his works from those of his contemporaries.

Michelangelo’s Phobia toward Portraits: Michelangelo was known for never wanting to be portrayed. He was very reserved about his appearance, which made his portraits rare. Only on a few occasions did he allow himself to be portrayed, such as in the “Last Judgment” fresco, where he apparently portrayed himself in a symbolic way in the face of St. Bartholomew.

Love of sculpture rather than painting: Although he is also famous today as a painter, Michelangelo considered sculpture to be his true artistic vocation. He was reluctant to paint the vault of the Sistine Chapel, but accepted the commission from Pope Julius II only after much pressure. He considered it one of the most exhausting works of his career and, despite his success, he always preferred sculpture.

The Pieta Signature: The Pieta, one of his most famous works, is also the only one Michelangelo ever signed. After hearing that the work had been attributed to another artist, Michelangelo, young and resentful, engraved his name on the band across Mary’s chest. Later, regretting the gesture, he vowed never to sign a work again.

The “Giant” and the David: The marble block used for the David was nicknamed the “Giant” and was abandoned for decades by other artists, who considered it unusable because of its irregular shape and some imperfections. Michelangelo was able to carve from this block one of the world’s best-known masterpieces, transforming what was considered waste into a perfect representation of ideal beauty.

He worked for Lo Più Lungo Possibile: Michelangelo maintained an extraordinary work pace throughout his life and continued to work until a few days before his death at almost 89 years old. His passion and dedication to art were such that he rarely slept, often stating that “a true artist should not waste time sleeping.”

The “Secrets” of the Sistine Chapel: Some scholars have identified hidden forms in the figures of the Sistine Chapel, such as silhouettes of brains and nerves, that may represent a tribute to the human body and its anatomy. Michelangelo was a profound connoisseur of anatomy and used his knowledge to create realistic figures, but these alleged hidden forms are still a matter of debate.

Letters and Poems: Michelangelo was not only a sculptor and painter, but also a prolific poet. He wrote numerous poems, many of which were addressed to his friends or expressed his inner conflicts, faith, and reflections on death. His poems reflect his melancholic nature and emotional tensions.

Money Phobia: Although he earned considerable sums for his works, Michelangelo was incredibly frugal. He lived spartanly and, often, gave up luxuries and comforts. He amassed a large fortune during his lifetime, but avoided spending his earnings, investing instead in his family’s future.

The Complex Relationship with Leonardo Da Vinci: Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci, both in Florence around 1504, had a complex relationship. They were two geniuses, but with very different visions of art, and a rivalry developed between them. A famous occasion for comparison occurred when both were called upon to paint frescoes in the Council Chambers of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, although neither ever completed the project.

The Conflict Between Spirit and Flesh  Michelangelo experienced a constant conflict between his faith and his attraction to physical beauty, a recurring theme in his works and poems. Some of his writings reflect this inner torment, which is also reflected in the emotional and spiritual power of his works, making them not only aesthetic masterpieces but also profound expressions of the human soul.