Michelangelo: Life and Masterpieces

What year was Michelangelo born?

Which artwork is considered a cornerstone work of High Renaissance art?

How many scenes from the Book of Genesis are depicted on the Sistine Chapel ceiling?

What does the term 'Pieta' signify?

In what year did Michelangelo create the sculpture of David?

What was Michelangelo's primary medium when creating the Sistine Chapel ceiling?

What is depicted in 'The Last Judgment'?

Where is Michelangelo buried?

What is the primary focus of most of Michelangelo's art?

Which sculpture represents Bacchus created by Michelangelo?

How tall is the sculpture of the Dying Slave created by Michelangelo?

Why did Michelangelo's paintings sometimes not follow the rules of perspective?

What is a notable feature of the Moses sculpture by Michelangelo?

When was the sculpture of David created?

What does the term 'Pieta' refer to?

Which tomb housed the Dusk and Dawn sculptures?

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni

Born: March 6, 1475 in Caprese, Italy
Died: February 18, 1564 in Rome, Italy
Buried: Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, Italy
Known as the greatest living artist of his lifetime
Famous Sculptor, Painter, Architect, and Poet
His artistic focus centered on human subjects, departing from traditional perspective rules
He believed his art represented ideal beauty, not necessarily reality

Frescoes

Sistine Chapel Ceiling: Painted between 1508 and 1512
- Includes nine scenes from the Book of Genesis, including the Creation of Adam
- The Sistine Chapel is the papal chapel, built within the Vatican between 1477 and 1480 by Pope Sixtus IV

Sculptures

Pieta:
- Completed between 1498 and 1499
- Depicts the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the Crucifixion
- Means pity or compassion
David:
- Created between 1501 and 1504
- Marble sculpture that embodies the city of Florence, symbolizing independence and strength
Dying Slave:
- Created between 1513 and 1516
- Marble figure, 2.15 meters in height, meant to be part of the tomb of Pope Julius II
Dusk and Dawn:
- Part of the tomb of Lorenzo de Medici
- Carved between 1524 and 1534
Bacchus:
- Marble sculpture, completed between 1496 and 1497
- Represents Bacchus, the Roman god of wine
Moses:
- Commissioned in 1505 by Pope Julius II, housed in the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome
- Depicts the biblical figure Moses

Important Relationships

Tomasso dei Cavalieri: Michelangelo had a close, intimate relationship with this young man (Michelangelo was 57 and Tomasso was 17)

Test your knowledge on the life of Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, his major works, and his contributions to art. This quiz covers his renowned frescoes, sculptures, and his impact on the Renaissance. Dive into the world of an artist who defined ideal beauty through his masterpieces.