FAMOUS PISCES: MICHAELANGELO BUONAROTTI WAS BORN ON MARCH 6, 1475 IN CAPRESE, ITALY. His artistic talent was recognized at an early age. Despite his father's objections, the young man studied painting and later sculpture at the Medici gardens of Lorenzo Medici. While studying anatomy, Michaelangelo managed to receive permission to study human corpses - a practice forbidden by the church of that time. He always supervised the cutting of marble because he believed that the figure was already trapped inside the marble. All he had to do was carve it out and set it free. Among his best known creations are the Pieta (inside St. Peter's Basilica), which the artist finished before he was 25 years old. He also sculpted the marble statue of the young biblical hero David for the city of Florence. In 1508, Pope Julius II commissioned Michaelangelo to paint the 12 apostles and some decorations on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Over the next four years, he would create more than 400 life-sized figures for the project, after which he wrote, "I felt as old and weary as Jeremiah. I was only 37, yet friends did not recognize the old man I had become."
Michaelangelo - poet, architect, statesman and artist died on February 18, 1564.
Published 2/28/05 ALT MSN Group
Web Page: Famous Pisces
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What's missing in my camera shots of my recent visit to the Vatican Museum is the Sistine Chapel - absolutely no pictures allowed. Well, this is a good substitute. Maybe even better looking as the real thing is old, although repainted a few years ago, and not that colorful. While there I almost lost track of time, got a mild stiff neck looking at the ceiling, and almost missed my group! You got to click each time.
Turn on your speakers.
Attachment: MICHAELANGELO2.41MB.pps