Michelangelo (disambiguation) facts for kids

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (born March 6, 1475 – died February 18, 1564) was an amazing Italian artist from the Renaissance period. He was a true genius, known for being a fantastic sculptor, painter, architect, and even a poet. Many people consider him one of the greatest artists of all time.

Who Was Michelangelo?

Michelangelo was born in Caprese, a small town in Tuscany, Italy. When he was just 13 years old, he began his art training in Florence, a city famous for its art and culture. He learned from master artists and quickly showed incredible talent.

The Renaissance Period

Michelangelo lived during the High Renaissance, a time in Europe (roughly from the 14th to the 17th century) when there was a huge burst of creativity in art, science, and learning. Artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael created masterpieces that are still admired today. This period was all about rediscovering ideas from ancient Greece and Rome.

Michelangelo's Famous Artworks

Michelangelo created many incredible pieces that are still famous around the world. His works often showed strong human figures and deep emotions.

Sculptures That Tell Stories

Michelangelo believed that a sculpture was already inside the stone, and his job was just to remove the extra parts.

• David: This giant marble statue shows the biblical hero David just before his fight with Goliath. It's known for its perfect human form and powerful expression. It stands over 5 meters (17 feet) tall!
• Pietà: This beautiful sculpture shows Mary holding the body of Jesus after he was crucified. It's in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and is famous for its delicate details and emotional power.

Painting the Sistine Chapel

One of Michelangelo's most famous achievements is the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.

• The Ceiling: It took him four years (from 1508 to 1512) to paint the entire ceiling, mostly by himself, while lying on his back on scaffolding. The ceiling shows scenes from the Book of Genesis, including the famous "Creation of Adam," where God reaches out to touch Adam's finger.
• The Last Judgment: Years later, he returned to the Sistine Chapel to paint a massive fresco called "The Last Judgment" on the altar wall. This painting shows the second coming of Christ and the final judgment of humanity.

Designing St. Peter's Basilica

Michelangelo also worked as an architect. One of his biggest projects was designing the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. This huge church is one of the most important buildings in the Christian world, and its dome is a masterpiece of engineering and beauty.

What Else Is Called Michelangelo?

The name Michelangelo is so famous that it has been used for other things too!

• Michelangelo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles): One of the four heroic ninja turtles is named Michelangelo, often called Mikey. He's known for his orange mask, nunchaku weapons, and love for pizza!
• 3001 Michelangelo: This is an asteroid in space, named after the artist.
• SS Michelangelo: This was a large and luxurious ocean liner, a type of passenger ship, that sailed the Atlantic Ocean in the mid-20th century.
• "Michelangelo" (song): There are a few songs with this title, including one by the Swedish singer Björn Skifs and another by American singer Emmylou Harris.
• Michelangelo (crater): There's even a large impact basin, or crater, on the planet Mercury named after him.

See also

• Mike and Angelo, a British TV sitcom.