Michelangelo-4 Part of “Creation of Adam”

Michelangelo Buonarroti, born in Florence in 1475, is celebrated as one of the greatest artists of all time, excelling as a sculptor, painter, architect, engineer, and poet. His artistic journey began with sculpture, but his remarkable skill and originality also shone through in painting and architecture. Inspired by theology and philosophy, Michelangelo’s masterpieces are profound aesthetic expressions conveyed through the human form.

Unlike his contemporaries such as Raphael, who often worked with the help of disciples and pupils, Michelangelo was known for his solitary work ethic. This was exemplified in the monumental task of painting the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling in Rome, which he completed single-handedly. These frescoes, along with his later work on the Last Judgment, undertaken in his sixties, have had an unparalleled influence on art, inspiring countless artists in their depiction of heroic human figures.

Michelangelo’s sculptures, including the Pieta, David, Moses, and the statuary groups in Lorenzo de Medici’s mausoleum, are also monumental works that have left an indelible mark on art history. In the final years of his life, Michelangelo’s deep emotions found expression in poetry that echoes the beauty of Shakespeare’s sonnets, showcasing a tender side to this otherwise stern and solitary figure.

His unwavering dedication to his craft and his heroic spirit continue to command admiration and respect. Michelangelo’s work resonates deeply with the spiritual values and ideals of ancient Indian civilization. In honor of his 500th birth anniversary in 1975, the Posts & Telegraphs Department issued a commemorative stamp, paying tribute to this supremely great artist.