Michelangelo Buonarroti was a High Renaissance sculptor, painter, and architect whose work exerted an unparalleled influence on the development of Western art. He considered himself primarily a sculptor, creating masterpieces such as the 'Pietà' and 'David' before the age of thirty. Despite his preference for stone, he was commissioned by Pope Julius II to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, a task that took four years and resulted in one of the most famous fresco cycles in history, including 'The Creation of Adam.' His later work as an architect included the design of the dome for St. Peter's Basilica. Michelangelo’s focus on the beauty of the human form and his ability to infuse cold marble with psychological intensity and movement earned him the nickname 'Il Divino' (The Divine One) during his lifetime.