Michelangelo Buonarroti was a High Renaissance genius whose mastery of the human form redefined art. He considered himself a sculptor first, famously stating that he simply 'liberated the figure from the marble.' His statue of 'David' and the 'Pietà' are considered among the greatest sculptures in history. However, his genius was equally profound in painting and architecture. He spent four years painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling, creating the iconic 'Creation of Adam.' Later in life, he designed the massive dome of St. Peter's Basilica. Michelangelo's work is characterized by its muscular energy, psychological depth, and 'terribilità'—a sense of awe-inspiring grandeur that influenced generations of artists.