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| Self Portrait of Michelangelo |
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| "Madonna of the Stairs" |
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| "Battle of the Centaurs" |
Michelangelo, short for Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, was born on March 6, 1496 in Caprese Michelangelo, Italy. His father was the local magistrate, a judge or civil officer who administers the law. When he was a few weeks old, his parents moved back to Florence. At the age of thirteen, in 1488, Michelangelo began an apprenticeship with the Florence painter Domenico Ghirlandaoi. It is believed that this was when Michelangelo began making his own art pieces. By the time he was sixteen, he made two sculptures, one called
Battle of the Centaurs, and the other
Madonna of the Stairs (Both made from 1489-92). In 1492, Michelangelo began studying human anatomy at the Sto Spirito Hospital in Florence. It is said that he carved a crucifix that still hangs in the building. In Rome, during the year 1496, he carved his first major piece of work,
Bacchus. His piece,
Pietå, made his name and he returned to Florence in 1501 as a famous sculptor. He stayed in Florence until 1505, creating many more sculptures including the famous
David. These pieces of artwork still inspire people today. Michelangelo died February 18, 1564 by suffering from a severe fever.
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"David"
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