Statuette

8 June 1504

The “David” is unveiled in the Piazza della Signoria

The statue Michelangelo had worked on since 1501 was unveiled in the Piazza della Signoria. Many citizens were shocked by the boldness of showing the biblical hero entirely nude, yet the “David” became the embodiment of the pride of Florentines then fighting the republic's enemies.

1505

Julius II commissions his tomb

Pope Julius II summoned Michelangelo to Rome and commissioned him to design a huge mausoleum in the middle of St Peter's, a structure with a chapel inside adorned with dozens of statues. He spent eight months in Carrara choosing the marble, while Rome overwhelmed him with the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the forums.

1527

The Medici expelled: inspector of the republic's fortifications

After the Medici were expelled from Florence, Michelangelo, a republican at heart, joined the popular movement and became chief inspector of fortifications. He abandoned his post and set off for Venice, meaning to go on to France, but returned and rendered his city important services during the siege by imperial troops.

1530

A death sentence and a hiding place under the Medici Chapel

Florence fell, the Medici returned to power and Pope Clement VII sentenced Michelangelo to death. He is thought to have hidden for two months in a small chamber under the Medici chapels, covering its walls with charcoal and chalk drawings, until he was pardoned so that he could complete the Sistine Chapel and the Medici tombs.

1546

Chief architect of St Peter's

After Antonio da Sangallo's death Michelangelo became the leading architect in Rome, and his appointment as chief architect of St Peter's kept him in Rome until his death. As a gesture of goodwill he asked that the decree state he served on the building for the love of God and without any reward.

18 lutego 1564

Died