His full name was Michelangelo Buonarroti.¹⁾

Michelangelo Buonarroti was born on March 6, 1475, in Caprese, Italy.²⁾

He showed early artistic talent, and at the age of 13, he became an apprentice to painter Domenico Ghirlandaio.³⁾

Lorenzo de' Medici recognized Michelangelo's talent and invited him to live in the Medici household.⁴⁾

Michelangelo is renowned for his masterful use of marble. One of his most famous works, the statue of David, was carved from a single block of Carrara marble.⁵⁾

The statue of David symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the strength of the human spirit.⁶⁾

Michelangelo created the famous sculpture “Pieta” at the age of 24. It depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Jesus after the Crucifixion.⁷⁾

One of his most celebrated works is the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. He painted it between 1508 and 1512.⁸⁾

Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling lying on his back, a position that caused him great physical discomfort.⁹⁾

The iconic image of God reaching out to touch Adam's hand in the Sistine Chapel's “Creation of Adam” is widely recognized.¹⁰⁾

In addition to sculpture and painting, Michelangelo was an accomplished architect. He designed the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.¹¹⁾

Many of Michelangelo's projects remained unfinished, including the tomb of Pope Julius II and the sculptures “Prisoners” or “Slaves.”¹²⁾

Michelangelo was proficient in multiple languages, including Greek and Latin.¹³⁾

Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci had a rivalry, which often fueled the artistic climate of Renaissance Florence.¹⁴⁾

Michelangelo wrote numerous sonnets and poems, expressing his thoughts on art, love, and spirituality.¹⁵⁾

In his later years, Michelangelo became more reclusive and focused on his spiritual beliefs.¹⁶⁾

He was known for his unkempt appearance and indifferent attitude towards personal hygiene.¹⁷⁾

Michelangelo's works often reflected his strong religious convictions, and he had a deeply spiritual approach to art.¹⁸⁾

Despite his artistic success, Michelangelo faced financial difficulties throughout his life.¹⁹⁾

The fresco “The Last Judgment” on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, painted later in his life, is a powerful depiction of the Second Coming of Christ.²⁰⁾

Michelangelo's sculpture of Moses, part of the tomb of Pope Julius II, is known for its intense expression and powerful posture.²¹⁾

Giorgio Vasari, a contemporary of Michelangelo, wrote “Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects,” providing valuable insights into his life.²²⁾

Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling, which he initially refused, citing his expertise as a sculptor rather than a painter.²³⁾

Michelangelo was occasionally involved in political affairs, serving as a military engineer during times of unrest in Florence.²⁴⁾

His detailed knowledge of anatomy, gained through dissections, greatly influenced the accuracy and realism in his sculptures and paintings.²⁵⁾

Michelangelo is considered one of the greatest artists in history, and his work laid the foundation for the Mannerist and Baroque movements.²⁶⁾

His letters reveal his struggles with self-doubt and the challenges he faced in balancing artistic pursuits with the demands of patrons.²⁷⁾

Michelangelo had strained relationships with his family, particularly with his father.²⁸⁾

Despite his intense focus on art, some art historians speculate that Michelangelo may have had romantic interests, as hinted in his poems.²⁹⁾

He lived during a period of significant upheaval, witnessing the Italian Wars and the political instability of the Italian city-states.³⁰⁾