Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) was one of the pillars of the Italian Renaissance, whose paintings, architecture, sculpture, and drawings exerted unparalleled influence on Western art. His connections with wealthy patrons allowed him to carry out such works as the Sistine Chapel ceiling, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the statue of David on a huge scale. Both during his lifetime and afterwards, he was renowned for his artistry.

Besides his artistic career, he wrote poetry in the form of numerous sonnets and madrigals, much of it homoerotic in nature.