Michelangelo

Michelangelo is born

Mar 6, 1475

On March 6, 1475, Micelangelo Buonarrtori is born in to Ludovici Buonarrtori and his wife Francesca. His family- the Buonarrtori Simoni Family- was once a very wealthy, powerful, and respected family in Florence, Italy. However, Michelangelo's grandfather squandered away the family wealth, leaving Ludovici to scrape out a living in small farms and holding minor government positions. He was born in a ruined castle just outside of Caprese, between the cities of Rome and Florence. (Lace 9)

Micelangelo is raised with stonecutters

Period: Apr 6, 1475 to Jan 1, 1481

After about a month of care under his real family, Michelangelo is sent off to another family to be raised while Francesca beared more children. Up until about the age of 6, Michelangelo was raised in the village of Settigano- cared for by a family of stonecutters who were paid to look after him by Ludovici. Many historians speculate that this stay with the stonecutters may have been the place where Michelangelo first learned to cut basic marble. (Lace 11)

Michelangelo enters the world of art

Jan 1, 1488

In 1488, Michelangelo finally convinced his father to arrange for the 13 year old boy under an artist, instead of traditional education. Somehow, either by some crafty bargaining by Ludovici, or the reccomondation of those who saw him drawing in school, he was apprenticed under the master painter Domencio Ghiraldino, with a small salary to boot! Though only staying there for a year, Michelangelo impressed all who saw him there, surpassing all of the older students by far. (Lace 16)

Michelangelo meets the Medici Family

Jan 1, 1489

Ruler of Florence Lorenzo de'Medici was awed by Michelangelo's talent at such a young age, and wished to have such talented artists in his palace to tutor and mold. So, in 1489 Michelangelo was sent to live within the courts of the Medici family, studying under the sculptor Giovanni di Burtoldo, and began to delve in to the world of poetry. In this brief stay at the Medici palace, he created his first sculptures, like his Battle of the Centaurs. (Michelangelo Buonarritori)

Columbus discovers the New World

Aug 3, 1492

On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain in search of a more expedient trade route to the East. In October, he landed in Cuba- which he mistook to be the shores of China. Setting sail again, he turned south and hit Haiti, and plundered enough gold and riches to make up for his failure to find the trade route. Columbus is credited with enlightening Western Europe with the existence of the Americas. ("The Voyages of Christopher Columbus")

The Italian Wars begin (1494-1559)

Jan 1, 1494

The Italian Wars from 1494-1559 were a significant military theater in the periods of war that wracked Western Europe. It mainly involved the French attempting to establish a foothold in Italy, particularly i the regions of Naples and Milan. These conquests ultimately failed- but it did see the rise of the Habsburg Empire throughout most of Italy (later to be known as the Austrian Empire) heightening its influence and uniting its city states. (Hanlon 307-9)

Michelangelo carves The Pieta

Aug 1, 1498

In August of 1498, MIchelangelo got what he was hoping for- his first major public commision. Backed by the banker Jacopo Galli, Michelangelo was assigned to carve a statue out of marble for a French cardinal who desired one for his chapel in St. Peter's Basilica. The Pieta (pity) was an enormous success and one of his best pieces, depicting Mary holding Christ moments after his removal from the Cross in great detail. This success brought Michelangelo fame and future commissions.(Budd)

Michelangelo creates David

Jan 1, 1501

Under the new Florentine Republic, Michelangelo was chosen to carve a 13-foot tall statue of the Bibical figure, David. Michelangelo worked on this enormous project until 1504 practically single handedly- he despised using assisstants or having others work on his art. Upon surveying its majesty, several Florentine government officials chose to portray the David right outside Palazzo della Signorgia- the government hall- for all to see. (Budd)

Peter Henlein invents the watch

Jan 1, 1502

In 1502, German locksmith Peter Henlein invented the precursor to the modern day watch. A small, spring-based timepeice, it was dubbed the Nuremburg Egg. It was desired by many as a fashionable piece, and showed advancement in everybody being able to keep time. However, these watches proved to grow inaccurate over time, but Henlein is still credited with inventing the watch- a device which practically runs our lives today. ("Peter Henlein")

MIchelangelo's lost Battle of Cascina

Jan 1, 1504

In 1504, both Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were commisioned to paint battles in Florentine history on the walls of the state hall. Michelangelo and da Vinci had no love for each other- Leonardo had open disdain for sculptors. Both paintings were never able to be completed, da Vinci with technical difficulties, and Michelangelo being summoned by Pope Julius II. However, Michelangelo's cartoon of the painting depicting the Battle of Cascina was copied down by others. (The Battle of Cascina)

The Sistine Chapel Ceiling

Jan 1, 1508

The painting of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling is perhaps Michelangelo's famous work, if not most famous painting. He originally was unwilling to do such a massive project, but he was drawn to it anyway by Pope Julius II. It took him four years to complete, working from 1508-12 on it. Though magnificent, Michelangelo was rushed by the Pope to complete it. He often commented afterwards about how much the project drained him as a person, though only 37 at the time. (The Sistine Chapel Ceiling)

Hernan Cortés begins his conquest of Mexico

Feb 1, 1519

The Spanish wished to increase their imperialistic influence in the New World, In February of 1519, Cortés and 500 men were sent to explore and conquer as much of Mexico as they could. From 1519-21, this Spanish force conquered the Aztec empire- the conquest ending with the fall of Tenochitlan. The riches in the new world brought Spain great wealth and influence- allowing it to extend its influence on Mexico that lasts today. ("Cortés Leads Spain against the Aztecs.")

The Mughal Empire is founded

Jan 1, 1526

In 1526, the great Mughal Empire was founded in India, once a province that broke away from the Mongol Empire. At the height of its power, the Mughal Empire stretched across much of the Middle East- from Kabul to Deccan. The Mughal Empire was a vital part in the formation of the culture of India- introducing many artistic and cultural reformations before being conquered by British imperialists. (Sobti 206-7)

Michelangelo paints The Last Judgement

Apr 1, 1535

In 1535, Michelangelo was summoned yet again to the Sistine Chapel to paint a scene depicting Judgement Day as Christ seperates the blessed to Heaven, and the damned to Hell. Michelangelo excepted this commission as a more pessimistic and devout man, hoping to redeem his sould by painting this. It was displayed behind the altar in the Sistine Chapel, and is considered to be Michelangelo's final Masterpiece. (The Last Judgement)

Copernicus' theories come to light

Jan 1, 1543

In 1543, the theories of Nicholas Copernicus began to be circulated around the world- creating a massive revolution in the world of science and astronomy as it was once known. Copernicus disagreed with the theories of Ptolem's theory that the Earth was the center of the universe. Through careful scientific speculation, Copernicus developed ideas that the Earth was not the center of the universe, but the Sun. He also explained that the stars don't really rotate across the sky. (Leiser 140)

Michelangelo dies

Feb 18, 1564

On Febuary 18, 164, Michelangelo Buonarrtori died of an apparent "slow fever." His nephew buried his remains in his place of choosing- Santa Croce cathedral in Florence. Unfortunately, Michelangelo intentionally burned and destroyed many of his unfinished works, leaving many of his ideas and comissions a mystery. (Beyond the Reach of Time)