Michelangelo is considered one of the greatest artists in history, and his phenomenal virtuosity as a sculptor, painter, and architect is married to a reputation for being hot-tempered and volatile. He is famous for his wide variety of work, which demonstrated a blend of psychological insight, physical realism, and intensity never seen before. Michelangelos contemporaries recognized his extraordinary talent, and he received commissions from some of the most wealthy and powerful men of his day, including popes and other affiliated with the Catholic Church.

Here are some reasons why Michelangelo is considered great:

• Sculpture: Michelangelo was first and foremost a sculptor, and the majority of his early works were sculptures. He was gifted in the human anatomy, using light and dark to give his sculptures a natural presence. His sculptures are considered nearly technically perfect in their dimensions.

• Painting: Although Michelangelo considered himself primarily a sculptor, he is also famous for his paintings. The frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel are probably the best known of his works. His art is celebrated for its complexity, physical realism, psychological tension, and thoughtful consideration of space, light, and shadow.

• Architecture: Michelangelo was also an accomplished architect, designing buildings such as the Laurentian Library in Florence and St. Peters Basilica in Rome.

• Influence: Michelangelos work has influenced past and present artists around the world. He set a new standard of excellence with his figures, both carved and painted, that were infused with such psychological intensity and emotional realism.

Michelangelos talent continued to be recognized in subsequent centuries, and thus his fame has endured into the 21st century.