Michelangelo Sculptures

Michelangelo Buonarroti is without doubt the most revered sculptor of the Renaissance period and, despite his fresco work in The Sistine Chapel, he always considered himself to be a sculptor rather than a painter.

He was raised in Florence but had lived with a stonecutter and his wife during his mothers long illness, and also for some time after her death. This early introduction to the stonecutters trade fed Michelangelo's interest in sculpture and he studied at the school of Lorenzo de' Medici under the guidance of Bertoldo di Giovanni.

'Pietà', St Peters, Rome.1499–1500. (s)

'Pietà', detail (s)

'David', 1501-1504 Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts. (w)
The statue on the Piazza della Signoria is a copy.

Personal opinion.
Yes, I know it's probably the most recognised statue in the world and it's sometimes overlooked because the image is so familiar; but try to look at this work with fresh eyes and I think you will agree; it's just perfect!

Madonna and Child, 1501-1504. Marble, height 128 cm
Bruges, Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk. (w)

'Moses', San Pietro in Vincoli on the Esquiline in Rome. 1513–1515. (w)

Intended for Pope Julius II funeral monument this magnificent work was designed to be the central figure of the mausoleum.

Rebellious Slave. 1513-1520 (s)

Dying Slave. (s)
Both works were created between 1513-1520 for the base of the tomb of Pope Julius II, the tomb was never completed and the statues can now be seen in the Louvre Paris.

The Deposition ("The Florentine Pietà") Michelangelo, c. 1550 Marble, height 226 cm Florence, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (w)

Michelangelo tried to destroy this work because the marble was defective, and the statue remains unfinished.

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