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4th Centenary of the Death of Michelangelo 
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Michelangelo died on February 18, 1564, at the age of 88, in Rome, Italy. He had been living in Rome for several years at the time of his death, and he was working on the frescoes for the Pauline Chapel in the Vatican Palace. His body was initially interred at the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Rome but later taken to Florence by his nephew. There are stories about Lionardo Buonarroti stealing his uncle's body in the middle of the night. These tales are interesting but there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim, and it remains a matter of speculation. 
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 The Tomb of Michelangelo 
Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence Italy</center>
 
Michelangelo's tomb is located in the Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence, Italy. His nephew, Lionardo Buonarroti, commissioned Giorgio Vasari, who was a close friend and collaborator of Michelangelo, to design and build the grand tomb that we see today. The cost of the tomb was approximately 12,000 scudi, which was a significant amount of money at the time. The tomb is surmounted by the bust of Michelangelo (work by Battista Lorenzi), and is decorated with statues of Architecture (work by Giovanni dell’Opera), Sculpture (work by Valerio Cioli), and Painting (work by Battista Lorenzi), along with frescoes by GB Naldini.
 
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Sculpture: This figure is a representation of sculpture, and it is depicted as a young woman holding a chisel and hammer. The statue is meant to symbolize Michelangelo's career as a sculptor, and his achievements in the field of sculpture. 
Painting: This figure is a representation of painting, and it is depicted as a young woman holding a brush and palette. The statue is meant to symbolize Michelangelo's achievements as a painter, and his contributions to the field of art. 
Architecture: This figure is a representation of architecture, and it is depicted as a young woman holding a model of a building. The statue is meant to symbolize Michelangelo's achievements as an architect, and his contributions to the field of architecture.
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The painting above the statue of Michelangelo, Giovan Battista Naldini, depicts the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Jesus Christ in her lap, surrounded by other mourners. It is a powerful and emotional image, reflecting Michelangelo's deep faith and his fascination with the human form. The painting is considered to be one of the finest examples of 16th-century Italian art and is an important part of Michelangelo's tomb.
 
The tomb was not completed until 1578, fourteen years after it was commissioned, due in part to disputes between Lionardo Buonarroti and the artists and artisans who were working on the project. Despite these delays and difficulties, the tomb is considered one of the most important and impressive examples of Renaissance funerary art, and it is a testament to Michelangelo's enduring legacy as one of the greatest artists in the history of Western art.
 
Santa Croce Basilica in Florence is one of those "must-see" places for anyone visiting Florence Italy. It is amazing to have so many famous people buried in one location! It is also a place with a lot of artwork! 
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Santa Croce Basilica 
Florence Italy</center>
 
Reference 
• Francesco Vassilla, Guide to the Basilica of Santa Croce printed by Opera di Santa Croce, Firenze Italy, copyright 2015
 
NOTE: The ChatGPT website was also used to research this webpage
 
Photographs are from the collection of Marvin Lanahan
 
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