Benjamin Wall

Period 3

The Great Master.
Michelangelo
Michelangelos full name is Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni. He is one of the
greatest artists who have ever lived. He lived from the year 1475-1564. He grew up in Italy near
Florence, His family passed through many trials in his early life. His fathers work and business
were a big trial causing him to move to many different cities. His mothers illness had a big
influence on him, because of this he was sent to live a stonecutter. This was a great influence in
his life having this early introduction to sculpting in his life. In 1488, at thirteen, Michelangelo
was apprenticed to Ghirlandaio, an art school where he was able to be apprenticed and master his
skill as one of the great masters. He was able to perfect his skills in painting, sculpting, and
sketches. He had a profound perfectionism and ability to catch every single detail. His ability to
understand human anatomy, and show it in his art is unlike any other.
Michelangelos work affected the entire art world for forever. His work helped shape
western art and was also one of the greatest masters of the renaissance. His works are amazing
and astounding to gaze upon. They have lasted through the ages and inspired many artists. Two
of my favorite pieces of art that Michelangelo has done are the Creation of Adam, and the
tomb of Pope Julius II Moses.
The creation of Adam is one of Michelangelos more well-known pieces. It is also one of
the most visited. It is on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel, just one of the many paintings he did of
the bible.



This is such a great painting because of the detail he puts into everything. Every one of the
people in this painting has a different face, and expression, the anatomy of the people are
immaculate, the size comparison of everything, the simplicity of the background everything
flows and we can see why he is considered one of the great masters of the renaissance.
This is Moses. A portion of the tomb of Pope Julius II. He was commissioned for 3 years to
work on this tomb. This gives us just another glimpse at the mastery of Michelangelo and his
knowledge of how the human body functioned. One of the things that I noticed in both of these
works of art is his ability to show you how the character feels, you can see the emotion. It also
shows the renaissance era, because of how it deals with religion. Its amazing to see his ability
to give character to everything he does. The reality of this sculpture is amazing, and inspires me
to do the same in my work.


Just looking at the work of Michelangelo makes me want to be a better artist and push
myself to the limits, it has inspired me to focus on the anatomy of the human body and the
structure of the face. I am influenced by his perfection and ability to put detail in each and
everyone one of his works of art. The thing that I have learned most by studying Michelangelos
work is the importance of perspective and anatomy in relativity with the rest of the design.
As previously stated Michelangelo is termed one of the great masters. He and others like
Leonardo da Vinci are the masters of western art. The renaissance era. The renaissance is known
as one of the greatest time periods for art in any time or movement. It was a moment of growth
in humanity and it showed in art, science, religion and every other form of life as we know it.
There are many artists that had effect on the renaissance, some of which are Leonardo da
Vinci, Raphael, Donatello, Caravaggio, and many more. There are some well-known and some
not so well known artists from this time period. I believe that the intent of the artist was to
express everything that was going on in this period of time. A new profound knowledge and
growth in religion science understanding of the human body and purpose.
The ability to express oneself through the form of art. I think that this has a great effect on
me because I want my art to be able to touch people, but to be able to express how I feel as well.
I want people to be able to know what my work is about. I want to show expression in each of
my pieces. The work of these artists changed how many see art and had a great effect on culture
and society. It changed how artists were viewed and it helped shaped society and all of the
changes the renaissance was bringing.
In conclusion, I have learned much from this class, and also this project. Looking at the
work of Michelangelo has given me a new look on art, detail and the importance that getting
things right can have on my art. I am excited to use what I have learned in my own art and hope
to be able to show as much detail and accuracy in my art.







Works Cited
"Michelangelo." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 18 May 2014. Web. 21 May 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo>.

"Michelangelo." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 21 May 2014.
<http://www.history.com/topics/michelangelo>.

"Michelangelo Buonarroti." Michelangelo Buonarroti. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2014.
<http://www.michelangelo.com/buon/bio-index2.html>.

Gilbert, Creighton. "Michelangelo (Italian artist)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia
Britannica, n.d. Web. 21 May 2014.
<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/379957/Michelangelo>.

"Michelangelo." Michelangelo. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2014.
<http://www.artchive.com/artchive/M/michelangelo.html>.