was different from that of his teacher. In particular, Michelangelo was attracted to the beauty of classical sculpture as seen in the art of ancient Greece and Rome. In contrast to Ghirlandaio's "somewhat bland style," Michelangelo preferred the "more austere and monumental art of Giotto and Masaccio" (Gowin, 1983, p. 447). Giotto and Masaccio were two artists of the late Medieval and early Renaissance periods who turned away from the strict use of Medieval religious icons in order to incorporate more humanistic elements into their work.
When he was fourteen years old, Michelangelo became an apprentice under the sculptor Bertoldo di Giovanni. Bertoldo had been a student of Donatello, who was one of the most famous Italian sculptors prior to the arrival of Michelangelo. Working with Bertoldo was a unique opportunity for Michelangelo because it brought him into the patronage of the powerful Medici family. During this period, Michelangelo's love for sculpture was confirmed once and for all. Even though he often worked in other media, sculpture always remained his first love. In fact, when he was asked about the relative importance of painting and sculpture, Michelangelo reportedly claimed that "sculpture was superior to painting as the sun is to the moon, which shines only with reflected light" (Hartt, 1989, p. 609). It was also during this period that Michelangelo's preference for classical styles of art was established. His early works under Bertoldo show such classical influences as the careful use of proportion, balance, and harmony. In addition, Michelangelo began developing a refined style which was reminiscent of the statues of ancient Greece and Rome. In contrast to the intricate and symbolic messages contained in Medieval art, Michelangelo preferred to make works which simply glorified the natural beauty of the human body. An example of this can be seen in a Cupid which Michelangelo created during his apprenticeshi...