Michelangelo

Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet

Michelangelo was a Renaissance artist known for his sculptures, paintings, and architectural works, including the iconic David and the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Born
March 6, 1475
Died
February 18, 1564
Quotes
148
Rank
#523

About Michelangelo

Michelangelo — Life and Legacy

Michelangelo Buonarroti, a central figure of the Renaissance, is celebrated for his exceptional contributions to art, particularly in sculpture and painting. His masterpieces, such as the statue of David and the frescoes on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, showcase his unparalleled skill and deep understanding of human anatomy. Michelangelo's philosophy centered on the belief that art should reflect divine beauty and truth, as seen in his quote, 'Art is a shadow of divine perfection.' This perspective not only guided his artistic endeavors but also challenged contemporary norms, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. His quotes often reveal a profound dedication to the craft, as exemplified by his assertion, 'If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all.' This statement reflects his understanding that mastery is achieved through relentless effort and perseverance, rather than mere talent. Michelangelo's work is imbued with a sense of spiritual aspiration, where he viewed the artist's role as one of discovery, as articulated in his famous line, 'I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.' Today, Michelangelo's quotes and ideas continue to resonate, inspiring artists and thinkers to pursue their passions with the same intensity and vision. His legacy endures not just through his physical works, but also through the intellectual and emotional impact of his thoughts on creativity and the human experience.

Quote collection

Michelangelo quotes (page 1 of 8)

148 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"Your gifts lie in the place where your values, passions and strengths meet. Discovering that place is the first step toward sculpting your masterpiece, Your Life."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"To know each other is the best way to understand each other. To understand each other is the only way to love each other."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"I created a vision of David in my mind and simply carved away everything that was not David."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"Do not fret, for God did not create us to abandon us."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"Perfection is no small thing, but it is made up of small things."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"A man paints with his brains and not with his hands."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely apparition to reveal it to the other eyes as mine see it."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"The idea is there locked inside. All you have to do is remove the excess stone."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"Your greatness is measured by your horizons."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"Painters are not in any way unsociable through pride, but either because they find few pursuits equal to painting, or in order not to corrupt themselves with the useless conversation of idle people, and debase the intellect from the lofty imaginations in which they are always absorbed."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"Only God creates. The rest of us just copy."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"So take care of your life and take notice and be observant, for the number of widows is always far greater than the number of widowers."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"The greatest risk to man is not that he aims to high and misses, but that he aims to low and hits."

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Michelangelo Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
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"Every beauty which is seen here by persons of perception resembles more than anything else that celestial source from which we all are come."

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