Michelangelo Research Paper

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The unique learning experience and skills Michelangelo cultured in his couple years at the Medici household certainly contributed to his future success. Furthermore “Lorenzo de Medici commissioned the first two works attributed to the young artist, "Madonna of the steps" and 'Battle of the Centaurs', both completed in 1492.” (PBS). Once Lorenzo died, Michelangelo briefly moved back in with Lodovico. At this time, the Medici’s became involved in political turmoil which ended in 1494. The Medici family was expelled from Florence by the newly elected leader Girolamo Savonarola . Michelangelo thought it was best for him to leave the city temporarily because of his connections with the Medici. He had a short-term stay in Venice and Bologna before …show more content…

He possessed unique talent and artistic aptitude but there wasn’t as many opportunities compared to cities like Florence, Milan or Rome. However, following the Medici’s to Bologna paid off “… the young artist was introduced to and taken in by one of the city's most prominent citizens, Gianfrancesco Aldovrandi. … On Gianfrancesco's recommendation Michelangelo was given the task of carving three statuettes for one of Bologna's most famous artistic monuments, the Tomb of St Dominic.” (IR Art). He completed the mission in 1496. At this point, Michelangelo was 21 years old; the age considered to be the end of an individual’s childhood. This project was all Michelangelo needed to become recognized by some of the Italian Renaissance’s greatest leaders. St Dominic’s tomb caught the eye of Cardinal Riario one of Rome’s most prominent Renaissance figures. Michelangelo moved to Rome and never looked back as his timeless career was …show more content…

Little credit for his future success can be credited to his parents. Michelangelo’s guidance came from the family of stonecutters, Ghirlandaio’s apprenticeship and his time with the Medici family. Historian David Sclar epitomizes a key example in Michelangelo’s learning curve “Michelangelo’s growth as an artist flourished in the court of Lorenzo de Medici where humanism – the idea that religion and scientific knowledge can exist side-by-side – was endorsed by the ruling family.” (Literary Traveler). Michelangelo became a master at being able to take religious beliefs and illustrating them in sculptures, paintings and architecture. Three of Michelangelo’s most famous pieces the Pieta, David and the Sistine Chapel were all depictions of religious figures. Also, the talent in his sculptures of Pieta and David are largely attributed to his time spent in the Medici’s house and garden. Furthermore, Michelangelo’s ability to paint frescos was the main technique used to develop the roof in the Sistine Chapel. He first learned how to paint frescos during his apprenticeship with Ghirlandaio. Certainly not all the credit for Michelangelo’s success is attributed to his childhood experiences but it’s evident he was given experiences that directly affected his artistic

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