The World's Artist: Michelangelo

藝術巨匠的養成：米開朗基羅Discover one of the greatest artists of all time by Pamela Osment
這位偉大的藝術家不但創作雕塑，還在教堂天花板作畫，此外還有更多藝術創作This great artist made sculptures, painted ceilings and more by Pamela Osment

One look at Michelangelo’s masterpieces reveals why he became a world-famous artist. During his lifetime, he mastered painting, writing poetry, designing buildings and making sculptures. Michelangelo was truly a one-of-a-kind artist.

His early years
When Michelangelo was born in Caprese, Italy, in 1475, his mother was in poor health. For that reason, he was sent to live with a stonecutter’s family. There, the young child first learned to love cutting large pieces of stone into shapes . Michelangelo later returned to live with his father in Florence. His father soon realized how intelligent the boy was and sent him away to school. Michelangelo, though, wasn't very interested in school and spent much more time drawing than studying. An art student that he knew convinced him to study the art of painting. But this angered his father, who wanted him to become a successful businessman or merchant, However, at 13 Michelangelo became an apprentice to a famous painter.


His famous works
Growing up during the Renaissance, Michelangelo was influenced by many great artists and works of art. Soon he was creating his own art, and by 16, he had finished his first two sculptures. By 25, Michelangelo had completed what some call the world's greatest sculpture, the Pieta. The statue of Mary holding her dead son Jesus amazed everyone because of Mary's emotionless expression. This was the only sculpture ever signed by the artist.


In 1501 Michelangelo began his next masterpiece, a statue of the Bible hero David. People marveled at the 5.17-meter statue because the human form was extremely lifelike.


Due to Michelangelo's fame, Pope Julius II selected him to paint the Sistine Chapel celling. Beginning in 1508, Michelangelo spent the next four years painting from a high, wooden platform. When he had finished, over 300 figures covered the chapel ceiling! Artists today still get inspiration from Michelanelo, the man many call the world's greatest artist.


More Information
Before starting a new sculpture. Michelangelo spent months choosing just the right block of stone. He believed each block had a statue inside, trying to get out. Michelangelo's last project wasn't connected to sculpture; it was to oversee the construction of the dome of St. Peter's Church in Rome.
The famous dome is so classic it has been the inspiration for numerous capitol buildings in the United States.

Grammar
For that reason, he was sent to live with a stonecutter's family.
for that reason=because of that reason
Julie was bitten by a dog when she was young, for that reason she has never liked dogs.
Tom's parents are always away and don't have time to take care of him, for that reason, he was sent to a boarding school.

Vocabulary
masterpiece-杰作，名作，个人最具代表性的作品。
*“The Adventures of Tom Sawer" is one of Mark Twain's masterpieces.
*Many consider the film "Transformer" to be the masterpiece of Michael Bay.
intelligent-聪明,有智慧的intelligence (n)
*It's obvious that the young boy is highly intelligent-he started reading when he was only two years old.
*Don't underestimate the intelligence of a young child.
convince-使说服,使劝服
convince someone to do something-劝服某人去做某事
*Diane's parents tried to convince her to major in finance.
*The sales representative convinced Henry to buy a van.
works of art-艺术品, 精心创作.
*The museum has many works of art from the Impressionists.印象派
*"The Starry Night" is one of Van Gogh's most praised works of art.
*This beautiful diamond necklace is really a work of art.
statue-雕像，槊像
*the Statue of Liberty
*The statue of the couple's beloved dog reminds them of him. 睹物思人
* A statue honoring the brave fireman was erected in his town.
lifelike- 栩栩如生的
*A lifelike portrait of the president was hung on the wall of his office.
*These lifelike glass grapes make people want to touch them.


Chat Room
kind-友善的。
of a kind-属于某一种类型的
one of a kind- a very unique. 独特的，独一无二的。
two of a kind-二个很相似。臭味相投或二个同类似的东西。
three of a kind-play poker, 三张一样的牌。
four of a kind-四张同点子的牌。
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work-不可数名词。
I have a lot of work to do today. 今天我 有很多的工作要做。
很多不同项目的工作，最好用 "chore" or "task" instead of work. "chores"," tasks".
works-把"work"当作“文学”或“艺术”方面的作品。
the works of Shakespeare-沙士比亚的作品
famous works-名作
works of art-艺术品或精心创作。
in the works-the project is still in the works. 还在（正在）开发，进行中。
with the works- add all whatever you offer. 加添，加上所有的料。
I order a pizza with the works= I order a pizza with everything on it.