Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contemporaries saw Michelangelo as the greatest artist of all time, recognizing in his creations an inspiration more divine than human. Today our appreciation of Michelangelo's sublime vision, and of his matchless gifts as sculptor, painter, architect and poet, has been strengthened and enriched by the perspective of four centuries. And Michelangelo himself has become the archetype of the artist of genius - dedicated, solitary, single-minded, tormented, unsatisfied and undefeated. In this lucid and authoritative introduction to Michelangelo's life and work, Linda Murray explores the political and religious context of his career, the recurring themes in his work and the complex symbolism and iconography of his greatest masterpieces. Book jacket.