Michelangelo passed through the market where marble was sold. He saw a beautiful stone and asked about it. The owner said: – If you want that rock, get it for free because it just rolls around and takes up space. For twelve years no one even asked about him. I don't see any potential in this stone. Michelangelo took the stone, worked on it for almost a year and created perhaps the most beautiful statue that has ever existed.

A year later, when Michelangelo finished his work, he invited the shop owner to his place because he wanted to show him something.

The owner could not believe his eyes. He asked:

"Where did you get that beautiful marble?"

"Didn't you recognize this marble?" asked Michelangelo. “This is the same ugly stone that stood in front of your shop for twelve years. "

Michelangelo's Pietà sculpture is located in the Vatican in St. Peter's Basilica. The marble statue : Saint Mary holds the body of her Son on her knees. It was created in honor of the 1500th anniversary of the birth of Christ. It is the only work by Michelangelo that is signed by him.

Michelangelo is an extremely sought-after artist, and unlike many of his contemporaries, he knew the fame and recognition of his genius during his lifetime.

Moreover, Michelangelo was so confident in his talent and abilities that he even decided to become an entrepreneur and impresario of his own art. And for that era, this is something extremely rare.

Michelangelo also buys blocks of marble himself - even without the availability of orders for works, because he is 100% sure that they will not run out of customers.

The Pietà sculpture, which is now in St. Peter's Basilica, is the first masterpiece made of Carrara marble – it would also become the artist's favorite material. Even after creating the 1.74 m high statue of the Virgin Mary, who is holding in her hands Jesus who has just been taken down from the cross, it is clear to everyone that this is an exceptional talent. Therefore, immediately after that, in 1501 in Florence, the young Michelangelo received an order to realize the statue of David.

The divinely handsome David captures the hearts of all Florentines and immediately becomes the symbol of the city.

To decide exactly where to place the perfect statue, they organized a special commission - it included the biggest artists of the time, incl. Leonardo da Vinci, Ghirlandaio and Perugino. The most worthy place turns out to be the pulsating Piazza della Signoria in the center of the city.

The great creator, who combined in himself the artist, the sculpture, the architect and the poet, called because of this the "titan with four souls", died in Rome on February 18, 1564, defeated by old age - this "incurable disease" (Seneca)

Michelangelo also wrote many wise thoughts that inspire and teach:

• Genius is eternal patience.
• Lord, make me always want more than I am capable of achieving!
• For most of us, the greatest danger is not choosing too high a goal and failing, but choosing too easy a goal and achieving it.
• The sculpture shows the world that death cannot defeat time.
• Attention to detail breeds perfection. And perfection is not a trifle.
• Every work is valuable if it carries an idea.
• Contemplating beautiful things works on your soul.
• I don't know which is better - the evil that brings benefit or the good that brings harm.
• Many believe, and I do, that I am appointed to this work by God. Despite my advanced age, I don't want to give up. I work for the love of God and place all my hopes in Him.
• As you give, so shall you receive.

Shared with joy

A.A

Stob, Bulgaria