When Michelangelo was born on 6 March 1475, his father, Lodovico, was full of hope for the future. As he gazed up into the heavens, he felt inspired to call his newborn son Michelangelo. It was an unusual name: A combination of Michele, meaning God-like, and Angelo, meaning angel – a God-like angel. 

Full of Hope for His Son

The stars were telling Lodovico that his boy would be special; Mercury and Venus were in the house of Jupiter, which predicted greatness – genius even. His little Michelangelo would probably be a banker, like himself (but better… because he hadn’t been that successful). Or maybe a priest, or a politician… Whatever he became, he would surely bring honor to his father and his ancient and noble family name. 

Drinking In Hammers and Chisels

Lodovico never even considered that the baby’s early surroundings might somehow foreshadow his future. When Michelangelo was a baby, the family lived just outside Florence on land that Lodovico had inherited. It had stone quarries on it and the family was surrounded with the noise and dust of stonecutters. 

Michelangelo was placed with a wet nurse, as was the custom for a baby born into his class. And his wet nurse was the wife of a stonecutter and the daughter of a stonecutter. Michelangelo would later joke that he drank in hammers and chisels along with his nurse’s milk. It was an auspicious beginning.

Off to School

When Michelangelo was around seven, his father sent him off to Florence for schooling. Lodovico knew his son was a bright boy and was expecting him to excel at his studies of philosophy, Greek, Latin… all the subjects the nobles were taught. 

But young Michelangelo had other interests. While he did make some effort towards his studies, his real love was drawing. And he took advantage of every stolen minute to sketch: people, animals, buildings, it didn’t matter. He loved to make images appear on a blank piece of paper.

No Art Allowed: Beat it Out of Him

Lodovico knew his son was destined for something great, but he didn’t think it would be art… He didn’t want it to be art… He wouldn’t allow it to be art! Artists were tradesmen, and there was no place for a tradesman in a noble family.

Lodovico was so determined that his son would not be an artist, that whenever he would catch him drawing, he would beat him. Even so, young Michelangelo couldn’t help himself. He would try to draw in secret and hide his sketches, but when they were discovered, he would be beaten again by his father and even his uncles got in on it. Having an artist in the family was a disgrace that they couldn’t allow.

If You Can’t Beat It Out of Him, Make Money on It

Michelangelo’s desire and talent for drawing grew stronger by the day, and no amount of beatings could stop him. Finally, his father took a more practical approach. If he couldn’t keep his son from being an artist, he might as well try to make some money from it. 

And times were changing, after all. Artists – who had previously been viewed as craftsmen – were becoming more respected in society. 

Age 13: Painting Apprenticeship

So, when Michelangelo was around 13, Lodovico apprenticed him to the great master painter, Ghirlandaio. 

Michelangelo was thrilled to finally be able to let his art flow, and painting came as easily to him as sketching had. He quickly surpassed the other students, and his work was even on par with his teacher’s. The boy’s talent did indeed seem to be a gift from God. 

Age 15: Introduced to Sculpture

Lodovico had just come to terms with the disappointment of having a son who was a painter, when Michelangelo was introduced to sculpture. 

Lorenzo de’ Medici (Lorenzo the Magnificent) was the ruler of Florence, and he was a great patron of the arts. To encourage more sculptors in the city, he had started a school for sculpture in his garden near Piazza San Marco.

He filled the garden with statues and carvings to inspire the students, then he asked Ghirlandaio to send over any of his painting apprentices that he thought might take to sculpture. So, Ghirlandaio sent over some boys, including Michelangelo and his friend, Francesco Granacci.

The Faun

In Lorenzo’s garden, Michelangelo was fascinated by one ancient carving, in particular. It was the head of an old faun. So, the boy rounded up a chunk of marble, a hammer and chisel, and he began to copy it. Even though he had never sculpted before, his skill was amazing. Instead of an exact copy, Michelangelo made the faun laugh showing his tongue and teeth.

As Lorenzo walked around inspecting the boys’ work, he was amazed at 15-year-old Michelangelo’s talent. However, he joked with the lad, “This faun has an old face, but all of his teeth. You know, old men never have all their teeth. They are always missing one or two.”

Lorenzo the Magnificent: A Powerful Protector

As soon as Lorenzo walked away, Michelangelo picked up his tools and knocked out a tooth, then he dug out the gum to look like it had fallen out. When Lorenzo came back around, he was impressed with Michelangelo’s cleverness and willingness to learn. 

Then and there, Michelangelo became a favorite and Lorenzo took him under his wing. He told Michelangelo to ask his father to come and talk with him. He wanted to ask permission for the boy to live with him at the palace and study sculpture. 

No Stone Masons Allowed

Michelangelo dreaded relaying Lorenzo’s message to his father, so he took his friend Granacci with him. As expected, Lodovico was furious. He vowed that he would never allow his son to be a stone mason. Being a painter was bad enough. But stone masons were definitely workmen, and no one could convince him otherwise.

Fifteen-year-old Michelangelo probably hid behind Granacci to avoid another beating as his friend tried to explain to his father that a sculptor was not a stone mason. Sculptors, like painters, were gaining respect and could have rich patrons. And, of course, the request had come from Lorenzo the Magnificent, himself, the ruler of Florence. Could Lodovico really refuse him?

Daddy Must Give In

There was a lot of arguing and yelling, but in the end, when the ruler of the city asks you for something, you comply. So, Lodovico went to see Lorenzo and meekly agreed to his request. Michelangelo was given a room in the Medici palace, and every evening he ate at the table with Lorenzo’s family, where he was also privileged to meet many influential people. 

Lodovico had been ashamed of his son’s artistic leanings and tried to beat them out of him, but now Michelangelo had the richest and most powerful man in Florence as his patron. Lodovico finally had to admit that perhaps his son might turn into something special after all – even if he was just an artist.

Thank goodness Michelangelo found people to give him the encouragement and support that he lacked from his father. Think of the masterpieces we would have missed had his father succeeded in beating the art out of him. 

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