Michelangelo

The life of the great artist began on the 6th of March, 1475. He was burn in Casentino, Caprese. His parents were Lodovico di Leonardo Simioni and Francesca di Neri di Miniato del Sera.

Michelangelo's first teacher was Francesco da Urbino. He had to teach young Michelangelo grammar, but Michelangelo was not very fond of it. He often ran away from school to the church, for drawing icons. Michelangelo's father saw that his son had more practical skills then academic achievements. He saw the talent of a great artist in his son. So, in 1488, with the help of Francesco Granacci, Lodovico sent Michelangelo as an apprentice in Domenico Ghirlandaio's studio.

In 1489, Bertodolo di Giovanni, sculptor and colector of ancient things, helped Michelangelo to get into Lorenzo di Medici''s Garden. Medici's Garden was a place, near San Marco, where the most talented young men were gathering.

But in the 8th of April 1492, Lorenzo di Medici, the Magnificent, died. Michelangelo lost his protector and he had to work alone just for a while, because Piero, Magnificent's son, took him to the Medici's Palace. But Michelangelo didn't stay there for long. He ran away to Venetia, just before Piero's thrown away, in 1494. Then, Michelangelo moved to Bologna. He worked for Lorenzo di Piefrancesco dei Medici Popolani. Later, in his way of recovering a statue sculpted by himself, Michelangelo went to Rome. He sat there 5 years: from 1496 to 1501.

From that period there are two famous sculptures: Bachus, made for Jacopo Galli and Pieta from San Pietro.

For unknown reasons, Michelangelo returned to Fluorinate. He sat there from 1501 to 1505. He found everything changed. But a great thing happened to him: he met Leonardo da Vinci. Michelangelo had the opportunity to be in touch with da Vinci's work and da Vinci himself. Leonardo, who was 23 years older, encouraged Michelangelo. They did not become friends. But important was that Michelangelo agreed the fact that Leonardo was still better than he was and tried to learn from him, and Leonardo understood that Michelangelo's talent was real and very well used.

During the time spent in Fluorinate Michelangelo sculpted a lot of statues. The first 'job' was coming from Cardinal Francesco Piccolomini (future Pope Pirus II), Jacopo Galli's friend. Michelangelo had to make 15 statues for the Cathedral from Siena, in 4 years.

Michelangelo's behavior was at least weird. He did not respect the engagement. At the end of the period he had only 4 statues. Michelangelo made another sculpture, Madonna from Brunger, for the Cathedral from Siena, but he changed his mind: he sold it in 1506. He sculpted a lot of others 'Maddens'. They were very beautiful pieces, unlike the ones from Siena. Michelangelo's statues gave the impression of life.

At this time, Michelangelo met Donatello and Leonardo. And from now on, Donatello and Leonardo, beside the ancient influence, inspired Michelangelo' s technique.

Michelangelo's strange behavior found a reason: he was trapped, body and soul, by the giant block of marble, which would become David.

In 1463 Agostino di Duccio sculpted a 'Hercules'. The next year his masters required him another huge statue, David. For a stupid reason di Duccio refused and messed all. In 1501 Michelangelo received an offer: to continue (the unstarted) work of Agositno di Duccio. He accepted immediately. 'David' was ready in 1504 and it had been appreciated by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli and many others. It was placed in the middle of Fluorinate.

Some time later, Michelangelo had been called to paint "Battle of Casincea", together with Leonardo, which was painting "Battle of Anghiari". Both of the paintings should be exhibited in the big court of Palazzo Vecchio.