Michelangelo was an amazing painter and sculptor.  He was born in 1475 and died in 1564.  As a person, he was cranky and hard to get along with, and he loved a challenge.  He was expressive both in his life and art.  He was always saying what he ghought out loud, even if it wasn't very nice.  Once, he said a fellow's sculpture was not good.  The man got angry and hit Michelangelo, breaking his nose.  He had a crooked nose for the rest of his life. 

     Michelangelo liked sculpting better than painting, so when the Pope asked him to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, he said no.  Rumors were started that he wasn't good enough, so, to prove himslef, he took the job.  He spent four and a half years painting the biblical scenes on the ceiling, but when he was finished, it was and is considered one of the most beautiful works of art in history.  His sculpture, The Pieta, of the Vifgin Mary with her dead son cradled in her harms is also a sight to behold.  Michelangelo emphasizes Christ's suffering through his limp, frail body.  There is an unmistakable look of sorrow on Mary's face.  Also, the statue of the brave hero David, serenely holding the slingshot he will use to kill the monster Goliath, is a masterpiece.

     Michelangelo is considered one of the greatest artists of all time.  Both his strong, solid, expressive statues and vibrant-colored, sculpturesque paintings look like they might come to life any second.