Michelangelo: Grandmaster of the Renaissance

Few know that Michelangelo lived to be a robust 89 years old. He spanned 13 popes; he worked for 7 of them, and he fought with all of them. In fact, his talent as to painting, statues and architecture caused a procession of popes and other titans to so vehemently vie for his attention, that he altered history in such a way that impacts this planet to this very day. His father was a ne'er-do-well, and his doting mother died when he was only six. Eventually, he trained as an apprentice in the arts with the best of the best in Florence. The rest is history.

At age 16, Michelangelo was effectively adopted into the wealthy household of Lorenzo Medici, an international banker, who was also the comptroller for the Roman Catholic Church, and was perhaps the richest man in Europe. Lorenzo was anxious to engage the best artisans with the finest talent to constantly add to his collection of frescos, statuary and other finery.