Michelangelo Buonarroti’s sculptural legacy stands as a defining achievement of the High Renaissance. Though trained within the artistic traditions of the 15th century, he pushed beyond tradition by blending classical ideals with deep emotion, precise anatomy, and thoughtful symbolism. His work continues to shape Western art.
Michelangelo trained under Bertoldo di Giovanni, a student of Donatello, which gave him a strong foundation in low-relief sculpture. One early example is Madonna of the Stairs, a masterpiece that shows his technical skill even as a teenager. In Bacchus, created after moving to Rome, Michelangelo revived classical themes but added a sense of movement and vulnerability, portraying the Roman god as drunk and off balance.
The Pieta (1499), now in St. Peter’s Basilica, was a turning point. Its emotional restraint and perfect proportions showed Michelangelo’s ability to create beauty and meaning in stone.
Upon returning to Florence, he carved David (1501-1504) from a discarded block of marble. More than a biblical hero, David symbolized human strength and civic pride. With a relaxed stance and focused gaze, it captured both technical mastery and Renaissance ideals of intellectual and physical harmony.
Later, Pope Julius II asked Michelangelo to create a massive tomb. Though never finished, it led to expressive works like Moses, Dying Slave, and Rebellious Slave, which show inner turmoil and heroic struggle.
In the Medici Chapel, sculpture and architecture combine to explore time and mortality. The tombs of Giuliano and Lorenzo de’ Medici are framed by allegorical figures ? Night, Day, Dawn, and Dusk ? whose poses and expressions reflect the inexorable passage of time.
Michelangelo’s final works, the Bandini Pieta and the Rondanini Pieta, move away from perfect form. With rough surfaces and stretched figures, they show deep emotion and spiritual reflection, ending his sculptural career with poignancy and grace.
Sean Jung R&D Division Director teen/1749001266/1613367716
1. What kind of art did he make?
2. Which statue shows a biblical hero?
3. Who asked Michelangelo to build a tomb?
4. What feeling do his final sculptures show?
1. Do you like to draw or sculpt?
2. Would you like to visit a museum?
3. Have you learned about the Renaissance?
4. What kind of art do you enjoy?
Michelangelo Buonarroti’s sculptural legacy stands as a defining achievement of the High Renaissance. Though trained within the artistic traditions of the 15th century, he pushed beyond tradition by blending classical ideals with deep emotion, precise anatomy, and thoughtful symbolism. His work continues to shape Western art.
