Even before he reached the age of 30, Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) had already sculpted the Pietà and David, two of the most famous sculptures in all of art history. The achievements of this Italian master are unique – no artist before or after him ever created such a vast, multifaceted, and far-reaching body of work.

When Michelangelo died in 1564, he was already regarded as a national treasure. His works were destined to have an unprecedented impact on European art for centuries to come. This book presents Michelangelo’s paintings, sculptures, and architecture on an unprecedented scale. Special attention is given to the monumental frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Full-page reproductions and close-up enlargements allow the finest details from the repertoire of the exceptional Florentine artist to be studied. The accompanying essay traces the life of a sometimes angry, sometimes melancholic loner who rose to become the “divine” artist-sovereign and forever changed the understanding of the artist’s role in society. Three catalogs on Michelangelo’s paintings, sculptures, and architecture engage comprehensively and critically with Michelangelo research.