Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, poet, and engineer who epitomized the Renaissance period. He was one of the most influential and impressive artists of his time, and his work remains renowned throughout the world for its unique beauty. He dabbled in a variety of mediums, from painting and sculpture to architecture and engineering. Michelangelo is widely cited as contributing significantly to the Western tradition of art and his works have become a symbol of the Renaissance period.
Surprising Facts About Michelangelo
Michelangelo is an iconic master of art, but even today, there are still things that surprise us about this great artist. Here are some bizarre and interesting facts you may not know about Michelangelo.
- He Saw His Own Death
In his early twenties, Michelangelo reportedly had a vision of his own death, which he later described in a letter. He wrote that he had a dream “in which I seemed to see Him who created the world, and I was seized with a dread which made me weep.” He went on to describe how “by his divine presence one seemed to enter eternity, where I saw myself dead and buried.” This vision of death didn’t stop Michelangelo from creating great works of art—it only served to fuel his passion and drive.
- His Sistine Chapel Was A Masterpiece – But It Didn’t Come Without Struggle
When Pope Julius II asked Michelangelo to design the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, he reportedly became so frustrated that he quit the project altogether. After took several months off, the Pope convinced Michelangelo to return and finish the project. Even then, the job was no easy task. Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel on scaffolding, using paint and tools that had to be held in awkward positions. This made the entire project exceptionally difficult and left Michelangelo in immense amounts of physical pain.
- He Helped Create Rivers And Fountains
In addition to being a master of painting and sculpting, Michelangelo was also a monumental engineer. He was hired to help construct the Pforzheim Bridge in Germany in 1518, and he also designed two significant fountains in Italy—the Fountain of Neptune in Bologna and the waterworks of the Belvedere in the Vatican.
- Michelangelo Was A Bit Of A Debtor
Although Michelangelo was extremely talented and well-respected, he wasn’t exactly philanthropic. He was known for failing to pay his debts and was even tried for bankruptcy in 1525.
- No Stranger To Poetry
Although Michelangelo is most widely known for his sculpture and painting, he was also a talented poet. He wrote many poems throughout his life, some of which have only recently come to light. His early poems draw heavily from the classical mode, but in later works, we can see him taking a more individual approach.
- He Was A Master Of Commissions
Michelangelo was incredibly successful in obtaining lucrative commissions, even more so than other Renaissance painters. In fact, it’s estimated that he received commissions totaling more than that of all other Renaissance artists combined. These payouts were made possible by the fact that popes and noblemen were paying significant amounts of money to have their portraits painted and sculptures created.
- He Was A Disciplined Artist
Michelangelo was renowned for his dedication to his craft, and this discipline was what drove him to create some of his most iconic works. He was known for rising early in the morning and working twelve-hour days on a regular basis. He was also a stickler for detail and often worked until late at night to make sure he got the perfect effect, even when it wasn’t required.
- He Left A Will That Was Complex And Full Of Surprises
Michelangelo’s will was highly complex and left many surprises. For example, he left much of his money to charitable causes, as well as to his family members. He also bequeathed many of his sculptures to the Church, despite having been accused of blasphemy by the Catholic Church earlier in life.
- He Was A One Of A Kind Artist
Michelangelo’s work is unique in that it is difficult to replicate. His sculptures, for example, are incredibly lifelike and full of detail, making them highly sought-after pieces. Even his sketches, which often contain a great level of detail, are difficult to replicate and have been known to fetch high prices on the art market.
Michelangelo was a great artist and an influential figure in the world of art. He was a master of many media, from sculpture and painting to engineering and poetry. Even today, his work remains impressive and continues to fascinate us. With the facts and stories mentioned above, we can see just how remarkable Michelangelo was.
