| A towering figure of the Italian Renaissance, Michelangelo expressed his artistic genius in paint, stone, and words. As a painter, his Sistine Chapel work ranks as one of the greatest artistic creations of all time though Michelangelo viewed himself primarily as a sculptor and preferred working in that medium. His marble masterpieces include The Pieta, David, and Moses. He also produced quantities of poetry. Because of his considerable talents and reputation, Michelangelo was called upon to design a wide range of projects from fortifications to monuments to architectural facades. The Pope named Michelangelo as St. Peter's architect in 1547, work which the artist continued until his death. |
