Art and Legacy: A Return to Roots

Michelangelo, who lived to be 88, spent his final years dedicated to the monumental St Peter's Project. Although he was closely associated with Rome, he was buried in Florence at the Basilica of Santa Croce, a site that honors many prominent Italian figures, including Machiavelli, Dante, Galileo, and others, emphasizing his lasting connection to his home city. This burial place signifies not only his attachment to Florence but also his prominent status among Italy's greats. Additionally, his work coincided with pivotal religious transformations of the 16th century, revealing his involvement with the Catholic Church during a time marked by tensions with Protestantism. His legacy intertwines art, identity, and historical context.