Michelangelo was one of the most influential artists of the Renaissance, whose works in sculpture, painting, architecture, and poetry have left a lasting mark on Western art and culture. He was also a remarkable example of longevity, living to the ripe old age of 88 in a time when the average life expectancy was much lower. But how did Michelangelo die, and what were the factors that contributed to his health and longevity?
Contents
Early Life and Career
Michelangelo was born on March 6, 1475, in Caprese, a small town in Tuscany, Italy. His father was a banker who had fallen on hard times, and his mother died when he was six years old. He was apprenticed to the painter Domenico Ghirlandaio at the age of 13, and soon showed his talent and ambition. He also studied sculpture under Bertoldo di Giovanni, a former pupil of Donatello.
At the age of 17, he moved to Florence, where he became part of the circle of Lorenzo de’ Medici, the ruler of the city and a patron of the arts. There he had access to the Medici gardens, where he could study classical sculptures and anatomy. He also met other artists and intellectuals, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Pico della Mirandola.
Michelangelo’s first major work was the Pietà, a marble sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Christ, which he completed in 1499 when he was 24 years old. The Pietà is now in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, and is considered one of the masterpieces of Renaissance art. It shows Michelangelo’s skill in carving realistic and expressive figures from a single block of stone.
The Sistine Chapel Ceiling
In 1505, Michelangelo was summoned by Pope Julius II to Rome, where he was commissioned to design and sculpt a monumental tomb for the pope. However, this project was interrupted by another task: painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the pope’s private chapel in the Vatican.
Michelangelo reluctantly accepted this challenge, even though he considered himself primarily a sculptor, not a painter. He spent four years (1508-1512) working on the ceiling, which covers an area of about 500 square meters (5,400 square feet). He painted more than 300 figures depicting scenes from the Book of Genesis, such as The Creation of Adam, The Fall of Man, and The Flood. He also painted prophets, sibyls, ancestors of Christ, and decorative elements.
The Sistine Chapel ceiling is widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements in art history. It showcases Michelangelo’s mastery of perspective, anatomy, composition, color, and expression. It also reflects his personal vision of human nature and divine grace.
Later Works and Projects
After completing the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Michelangelo continued to work on various projects for different patrons. He sculpted some of his most famous works, such as David (1501-1504), Moses (1513-1515), and The Last Judgment (1536-1541). He also painted frescoes in other churches and palaces in Rome and Florence.
Michelangelo also became involved in architecture, designing buildings such as the Laurentian Library (1523-1559), the Medici Chapel (1520-1534), and St. Peter’s Basilica (1546-1564). He was appointed as the chief architect of St. Peter’s Basilica by Pope Paul III in 1546, when he was 71 years old. He modified the original plan by Bramante and Sangallo, giving it a more harmonious and elegant shape. He also designed the dome, which was completed after his death by his successors.
Health and Longevity
Michelangelo enjoyed good health for most of his life, despite his intense work ethic and demanding lifestyle. He was physically strong and robust, able to work long hours on scaffolds or with heavy blocks of marble. He also had a simple diet, consisting mainly of bread, wine, cheese, eggs, and fruit. He avoided meat and fish, which he considered unhealthy.
However, Michelangelo also suffered from some ailments and injuries throughout his life. He had kidney stones since his youth, which caused him severe pain and discomfort. He also had gout in his later years, which affected his joints and mobility. He had several accidents while working on his sculptures or paintings, such as falling from a scaffold or cutting his hand with a chisel.
Michelangelo also endured emotional stress and loneliness. He had few close friends or relatives who could support him or share his interests. He never married or had children. He had a complex relationship with his patrons, who often changed their minds or interfered with his work. He also faced criticism and envy from some of his rivals, such as Raphael and Bramante.
Despite these challenges, Michelangelo maintained his passion and creativity until the end of his life. He was always working on new projects or improving his old ones. He also wrote poems and letters, expressing his thoughts and feelings. He was deeply religious, but also curious and open-minded. He had a profound sense of beauty and harmony, which he sought to express in his art.
Death and Legacy
Michelangelo died on February 18, 1564, at his home in Rome, following a brief illness. He was 88 years old, an exceptional age for his time. His body was taken from Rome to Florence, where he was buried in the Basilica of Santa Croce, his home church. His tomb was decorated with sculptures by his pupils and admirers, representing Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture.
Michelangelo’s death was mourned by many people, who recognized his genius and contribution to art and culture. He was praised by contemporary biographers, such as Giorgio Vasari and Ascanio Condivi, who wrote detailed accounts of his life and works. He was also honored by later artists and writers, who admired and imitated his style and ideas.
Michelangelo is widely regarded as one of the greatest artists of all time, and a universal symbol of human creativity and excellence. His works have inspired generations of artists and viewers, who have found in them beauty, emotion, spirituality, and wisdom. His name is synonymous with the Renaissance, a period of cultural rebirth and innovation that changed the course of history.
