Michelangelo Research Paper

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Michelangelo was a sculptor, painter and architect widely considered to be one of the greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance and arguably of all time. His work demonstrated a blend of psychological insight, physical realism and intensity never before seen. His peers recognized his extraordinary talent, and Michelangelo received commissions from some of the most wealthy and powerful men of his day, including popes and others connected with the Church. His resulting work, most notably his David sculptures and Sistine Chapel ceiling paintings, has been carefully tended and preserved, ensuring that future generations would be able to view and appreciate Michelangelo’s genius.
Michelangelo was born on March 6, 1475 in Caprese, Italy.
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This is where Michelangelo learned to use a chisel and hammer and discovered his love for sculpting. As a young boy, his father sent him to Florence to study grammar. Michelangelo, however found no interest in education and preferred to spend his time among painters and sculptors. Florence at that time was the heart of the arts and learning in Italy and provided a great space for Michelangelo to learn the ways of art. At the age of thirteen Michelangelo was apprenticed to Ghirlandaio, an amazing artist of the time. Michelangelo spent years with Ghirlandaio learning his craft and of course adding his own style. Michelangelo first visited Rome in 1496 at the age of 21. In Rome Michelangelo began work on a …show more content…

He was arrogant and defiant to most. He was consistently unsatisfied with himself. And he was both an optimist and a pessimist. During most of Michelangelo’s commissions there was at least one point in time when he would disagree with his commissioner. Whether he be right or wrong Michelangelo didn't care, he did things his own way. When Michelangelo was wrong, however slight it might be, he saw the extreme. If we messed up one chip or one stroke he would smash or throw anything. If he felt he failed, he hated himself for it. For example, when Michelangelo finished his Moses statue it look so real and lifelike he ordered it to speak. When it did not speak, in a fit of rage Michelangelo smashed his hammer onto its knee. Michelangelo was also an optimist, and you can see it in his work. When he sculpts he is, in his mind, freeing a trapped being from the stone. A being that is pure and beautiful, something he wished the world could be more like. Yet, somehow, Michelangelo also managed to be a pessimist. Michelangelo’s pessimism can be found in his poems and writing. Michelangelo poems can be described as eerie, gloomy, and depressing. A perfect example of Michelangelo’s other half. The fact that Michelangelo could be both an optimist and a pessimist is so extraordinary and shows his balanced

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