Important People in Michelangelo's Life

Antonio da Sangallo

Architect of St. Peter’s Basilica whom Michelangelo succeeded.

Ascanio Condivi

An apprentice of Michelangelo’s and author of the biography Life of Michelangelo.

Bertoldo di Giovanni

The curator of the Medici family art collection and master of Lorenzo the Magnificent’s art school.  Michelangelo’s sculpting teacher.

Cardinal Raffaele Riario

Commissioned Michelangelo to carve Bacchus.

Domenico Ghirlandaio

Florentine painter Michelangelo served under him as an apprentice at the age of 13.

Giorgio Vasari

An Italian painter and architect as well as the author of one of two biographies written about Michelangelo during his lifetime.

Leonardo da Vinci

Fellow Renaissance artist and rival.

Lodovico Buonarroti di Simoni

A judicial administrator and Michelangelo’s father.

Lorenzo Ghiberti

Artist who created The Gate of Paradise as coined by Michelangelo.

Medici

A prominent and influential family in Florence.  They supported Michelangelo from the time he was a young artist.

Pope Julius II

Pope who commissioned Michelangelo to design and sculpt his tomb as well as to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Pope Leo X

A member of the Medici family.  Commissioned Michelangelo to reconstruct the façade of San Lorenzo in Florence.

Pope Paul III

Commissioned Michelangelo to paint the Last Judgment on the alter wall of the Sistine Chapel as well as other works.

Vittoria Colonna

The marquise of Pescara and a poet.  She was Michelangelo’s friend and subject of many of his love poems.

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Michelangelo Prints >

Sistine Chapel Ceiling: Creation of the Sun and Moon
Sistine Chapel Ceiling: Creation of the Sun and Moon by Michelangelo

Sistine Chapel Ceiling The Creation of Eve
Sistine Chapel Ceiling The Creation of Eve by Michelangelo

Sistine Chapel Ceiling: Noah After the Flood
Sistine Chapel Ceiling: Noah After the Flood by Michelangelo

Sistine Chapel Ceiling: The Prophet Isaiah
Sistine Chapel Ceiling: The Prophet Isaiah by Michelangelo

Sistine Chapel Ceiling: Ignudi
Sistine Chapel Ceiling: Ignudi by Michelangelo

"A beautiful thing never gives so much pain as does failing to hear and see it."

More Michelangelo Quotes