Michelangelo Buonarroti

Michelangelo is Born

Mar 6, 1475

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni was born on Monday, March 6th, 1479. He was born in a village named Caprese located in Italy. His father was Ludovico di Leonardo Buonarroti Simoni, and his mother was named Francesca di Neri del Miniato di Siena. This is significant beause Michelangelo will grow up to become one of the greatest and most influential artists of all time (Loretta 5).

The Ōnin War End

Jan 1, 1477

During July of 1467, the Ōnin War began in Japan. It was a civil war that began as a fight over who would succeed Ashikaga Yoshimasa and become the next shogun, a military leader of Japan. It ultimately ended in 1477. This is significant beacuse the Ōnin War marked the beginning of a period of conflict in Japan known as the Sengoku Jidai ("The Onin War").

Head of a Fuan is Sculpted

Jan 1, 1489

Head of a Fuan is Michelangelo's first sculpture. He made it from marble during 1489, however it is was lost and never found. This is significant because Head of a Fuan began Michelangelo's sculpting career, and it convinced Lorenzo de' Medici to sponsor him (Coughan 30).

Madonna of the Staircase is Sculpted

Jan 1, 1491

Madonna of the Staircase is one of Michelangelo's earliest works following Head of a Fuan, and is the earliest sculture of his that has survived. He sculpted it at the age of seventeen and it curently resides in Florence. Madonna of the Staircase is significant because it shows important features that would appear in Michellangelo's later art (Coughlan 31).

Christopher Colombus Lands

Oct 12, 1492

On October 12, 1492, Christopher Colombus landed on an island he named San Salvador. He thought he was in the East Indies, however in truth he landed in what is today the Bahamas. This was significant because this is one of the first instances of interactions between the Old and New Worlds ("Christopher Colombus").

Construction of Pietà Begins

Jan 1, 1498

Michelangelo sculpted his original Pietà starting in 1498 and fnished in 1500. The piece was made to be placed in a side chapel of Old Saint Peter's Basilica. It depicts the Virgin Mary holding the corpse of Jesus Christ, a theme present in all Pietàs. This piece was significant because it gave Michelangelo instant fame and recognition (Lace 6).

The Construction of David Begins

Sep 13, 1501

MIchelangelo began sculpting the legendary statue David on September 13, 1501 in Florence, Italy. He would complete it in 1504. It depicts David, a decendent of Jesus Christ, moments before his battle with the giant Goliath. David is significant because it became a symbol of liberty for Florence (Loretta 9).

Work on the Celing of the Sistine Chapel Begins.

May 10, 1508

The Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was painted by Michelangelo for Pope Julius II in the Vatican City starting in 1508 and ending in 1512. It depicts all nine episodes from the Book of Genesis, and has a size of twelve thousand square feet. It is extremely significant, as it is one of the greatest paintings in history (“The Sistine Chapel”).

Charles V is Crowned Holy Roman Emperor

Jun 28, 1519

On June 28, 1519, Chales V was crowned Holy Roman Emperor, suceeding Maximilian I. His reign lasted until February 4, 1558. This was significant because Charles V would begin war with German Protestants ("Charles V").

Ferdinand Magellan's Crew Cirlces the Earth

Sep 18, 1522

Ferdinand Magellan and 270 men departed from Spain in August of 1519 in attempt to find a new route to Asia. He successfully discovered Magellan's straight, and continued westward. Magellan was killed in the Phillipines by natives, however his crew kept saling and eventually returned to Spain on September 18, 1522. Only 18 of the original 270 men survived the voyage. This was significant because these 18 men were the first people to succeed in traveling around the earth ("Ferdinand Magellan").

Work on The Last Judgement Begins

Jan 1, 1536

Years after completing painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo painted The Last Judgement on the wall of the Sistine Chapel. It depicts the second coming of Jesus Christ and the end of existence. The Last Judgement is significant as it is one of Michelangelo's greatest, most complex, and detailed creations ("The Last Judgement").

Michelangelo Begins Sculpting Rondanini Pietà

Jan 1, 1552

Michelangelo began sculpting Rondanini Pietà in 1552, and worked on it up until his death. It was never completed due his passing. It depicts the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Rondanini Pietà was significant as it was the final masterpiece Michelangelo worked on ("Museum of the...").

Second Battle of Panipat

Nov 5, 1556

On November 5th, 1556, a battle was fought between the armies of Mughal Emperor Abu'l-Fath Jalal ud-din Muhammad Akbar and Hemu, the leader of Northern India. The fierce battle concluded with Hemu's defeat and decapitation. This battle was important because it led to Mughal power returning to India (Roy 74).

Galileo Galilei is Born

Feb 15, 1564

On Febraury 15, 1564, Galiileo Galilei was born in Florence, Italy. His parents were Vincenzo Galilei and Giulia Ammannati. His birth is significant because he would grow up to make monumental advances in astronomy such as the invention of one of the first telescopes and the discovery that the earth and planets revolve around the sun ("Galileo Biography").

Michelangelo's Death

Feb 18, 1564

Michelangelo passed away around five in the afternoon on February 18, 1564. He was eighty-eight years old. Michelangelo's body was taken to Florence just as he had wished. At his time of death, Michelangelo was dissapointed in his life beacuse his goal was perfection, which is a goal bound to fail. This is significant beacuse he could no longer produce works of art, and would never see the completion of Saint Peter's Basilica (Coughlan 179).

The Dome of Saint Peter's Basilica is Completed

Jan 1, 1590

Michelangelo began the construction of the Dome of Saint Peter's Basilica in 1547, however he was unable to complete it before his demise. It was finally completed in 1590 using the designs Michelangelo left for the project. It is the higlight of Rome's skyline and the largest dome in the world. This is significant because the dome is Michelangelo's final work to be completed (“The Dome”).