About the Artist

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475 Caprese, near S. Sepolcro-1564 Rome) is one of the most important and influential artists in all of western art. After his early training as a painter in Florence under Ghirlandaio, Michelangelo continued his sudies around 1490 in the workshop of the sculptor Bertoldo di Giovanni (1449-1492). He was inspired to study classical sculpture and humanistic philosophy by the circle of artists surrounding his patron, Lorenzo de Medici (1449-1492). During his stay in Rome from 1496 to 1501, he deepened his knowledge of sculpture; then, upon returning to Florence, completed his first paintings. In 1505 he answered the call to the papal court in Rome, where he worked from 1520 to 1534, and was appointed chief architect, sculptor, and painter in 1535. Michelangelo developed entirely new modes of expression for painting and created individual, intellectually conceived figures with a three-dimensionality previously unequaled. Works by the artist include The Crucifixion of Peter, 1546-1550, Cappella Paolina, Vatican; and the Deposition (ubcinokete), 1500/01; The National Gallery, London.