Michelangelo Buonarroti was an Italian sculptor, painter, and architect, widely regarded as one of the greatest artists in history and a central figure of the Italian Renaissance. Born in 1475 in Caprese and raised in Florence, Michelangelo displayed great talent from a young age, training under Domenico Ghirlandaio and absorbing the influence of classical art. His early masterpieces, such as the monumental David in Florence, demonstrate his unparalleled skill in sculpting the human form with anatomical precision and emotional depth. Michelangelo's contributions to painting include the iconic frescoes of the Sistine Chapel ceiling (1508–1512), depicting scenes from Genesis with extraordinary complexity and dynamism, and The Last Judgment (1536–1541) on the chapel's altar wall, a dramatic vision of the apocalypse. As an architect, Michelangelo reimagined the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, blending classical forms with his bold, sculptural approach to space. Michelangelo remained active until his death at the age of 88 in 1564.
