A master at work

Michael Angelo was an Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect, poet, and engineer who exerted an unparalleled influence on the development of Western art. Despite making few forays beyond the arts, his versatility in the disciplines he took up was of such a high order that he is often considered a contender for the title of the archetypal Renaissance. A number of his works in painting, sculpture, and architecture rank among the most famous in existence. Two of his best-known works, the Pieta and David, were sculpted before he turned thirty. (David pictured right)

(Pieta pictured left)




















 Despite his low opinion of painting, Michelangelo also created two of the most influential works in fresco in the history of Western art: the scenes from Genesis on the ceiling and The Last  Judgement on the altar wall of the  Sistine Chapel in Rome.

Michelangelo took the commission to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which took approximately four years to complete (1508–1512).