Michelangelo Buonarroti was born on March 6, 1475. He lived almost a full century and died on February 18, 1564; he was still working six days before his death. During his life, the western world underwent what was perhaps the most remarkable period of change since the decline of the Roman Empire. The Renaissance saw changes in all aspects of life and culture, with dramatic reforms sweeping through the worlds of religion, politics, and scientific belief. Michelangelo was one of the advocates of this new philosophy, while creating some of the most beautiful and very famous artwork pieces ever created.

He was born at Caprese, in Tuscany, "he was the second of five sons of Lodovico di Leonardo (a civil servant) and Francesca Buonarroti." (Bradbury page 6). The family had two homes: one in the Tuscan countryside, and a much smaller one in the city of Florence. In 1481, when Michelangelo was six years...