A towering genius in the history of Western art, Michelangelo (Italian, Caprese 1475-1564 Rome) was celebrated during his long life for the excellence of his disegno, the power of drawing and invention that provided the foundation for all of the arts.
For his mastery of drawing, design, sculpture, painting, and architecture, he was called Il divino ("the divine one") by his contemporaries.
His powerful imagery and dazzling technical virtuosity transported viewers and imbued all of his works with a staggering force that continues to enthrall us today. | © The Metropolitan Museum of Art