Renaissance art has many forms, and Michelangelo was no exception. He was a painter, sculptor, architect, and poet. In his lifetime, he created more than 200 masterpieces. In addition to his famous statues, Michelangelo wrote a book on how to make a figurative sculpture. You'll be inspired by his genius as you study his works. 

After he completed the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo returned to Florence with fifteen small statues for the Piccolomini chapel of the Siena Cathedral. In addition, he began working on four more saints and a large fresco. He was freed from the Pope's commission in 1503 and returned to his work. While he was still very interested in the commission from Florence Cathedral, his interest shifted to the more challenging work of sculpting marble.

While his fame grew, his works remained unrivalled. His famous sculptures of Christ and the Virgin Mary were among the most famous of their time. Despite the fact that Michelangelo lived during the Renaissance, his work stayed within his own timeframe. The artist's paintings have been regarded by art historians as some of the greatest works in history. And he never looked back. And, his life is full of other triumphs, from his artistic career to his personal relationships.

Before leaving Florence, Michelangelo carved the most famous tomb sculptures in the Italian Renaissance. His most famous tomb sculpture, the Moses, is the most iconic of all. The work was inspired by Michelangelo's anger over the destruction of the Julius II bronze. Although the Medici family's bronze statue of the deity was destroyed, his Moses remains the most famous and admired tomb sculpture of his time.