Listen&Learn: Michelangelo

Learn about the famous Renaissance artist

Pre-listening vocabulary

• Renaissance: a period of artistic and scientific discovery in Europe
• apprentice: someone who learns a skill from a professional
• muralist: someone who makes large paintings on walls
• sculpture: a three-dimensional art piece
• commission: to pay an artist to create something specific
• physical: relating to the body

Listening activity

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Gapfill exercise

Michelangelo was an Italian Renaissance artist. He is known for some of the most famous artworks of all time. Michelangelo was born in Florence in 1475. When he was 13, he trained as an apprentice under the muralist Domenico Ghirlandaio. Although Michelangelo was very in drawing and painting, he became more in sculpture, and he left his apprenticeship two years early. In 1504, Michelangelo completed his most famous statue, the 17-foot tall David. He was commissioned by the Pope to paint the of the Sistine Chapel in 1508. Michelangelo found the Chapel frustrating. He was more familiar with stone than paint, and the job was very physically demanding. He even wrote a about his dislike for the . However, the Chapel ceiling is still one of Michelangelo’s most recognizable pieces. Michelangelo lived a long life, and continued to create art as he got older. He died in 1564, at age 88.

Comprehension questions

See answers below

1. Michelangelo became an apprentice when he was
   a. 13 years old
   b. 14 years old
   c. 17 years old
   
2. Of all the art forms, Michelangelo was most interested in
   a. mural painting
   b. portraits
   c. sculptures
   
3. Michelangelo found the experience of painting the Sistine Chapel
   a. easy
   b. enjoyable
   c. frustrating

Discussion/essay questions

1. Michelangelo’s depictions of human bodies are celebrated now. However, the nudity in his paintings and sculptures was controversial in his time. Some people thought it was disrespectful to paint nude figures in religious buildings. Why do you think it often takes time for people to appreciate art? Which types of art are controversial today?

Transcript

Michelangelo was an Italian Renaissance artist. He is known for some of the most famous artworks of all time. Michelangelo was born in Florence in 1475. When he was 13, he trained as an apprentice under the muralist Domenico Ghirlandaio. Although Michelangelo was very skilled in drawing and painting, he became more interested in sculpture, and he left his apprenticeship two years early. In 1504, Michelangelo completed his most famous statue, the 17-foot tall David. He was commissioned by the Pope to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in 1508. Michelangelo found the Chapel frustrating. He was more familiar with stone than paint, and the job was very physically demanding. He even wrote a poem about his dislike for the project. However, the Chapel ceiling is still one of Michelangelo’s most recognizable pieces. Michelangelo lived a long life, and continued to create art as he got older. He died in 1564, at age 88.

Answers to comprehension questions

1a 2c 3c