Michelangelo: Universal Genius of the Renaissance

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475–1564), born in Italy, was a tormented, incredibly talented, and devout Renaissance man. His accomplishments in painting, sculpture, architecture, poetry, and engineering fused body, spirit, and God to create groundbreaking masterpieces that forever altered the course of art history. Renowned biographer Giorgio Vasari hailed him as the epitome of Renaissance success, while his contemporaries simply referred to him as “Il Divino” (“the divine one”).

This book serves as a comprehensive introduction to Michelangelo, showcasing his awe-inspiring masterpieces without the hassle of long lines and crowds. Through vivid illustrations and easily understandable text, we delve into the artist's exceptional representations and renowned terribilità style (grand and awe-inspiring), which brought human and biblical dramas to life in a captivating manner. By exploring the key locations of Renaissance Italy, we are able to appreciate his significant commissions and his remarkable ability to create intricate compositional designs, such as the iconic Medici library in Florence or the massive 500-square-meter ceiling in the Sistine Chapel (1508–1512).

From the iconic David sculpture to the emotional depth of The Pietà and the powerful narrative of the Last Judgment on the Sistine Chapel's ceiling, this book offers a concise and reliable overview of a true titan in art history and some of the most famous artworks in existence.

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