Circle of Giuseppe Arcimboldo, supposed portrait of Michelangelo

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet of the High Renaissance. He is considered one of the greatest artists of all time and his works have had a profound influence on Western art. Michelangelo's most famous works include the sculpture of David, the frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, and the design of the dome of St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. He also created many other sculptures, paintings and architectural designs during his long career. Michelangelo was born in Tuscany, Italy, and began his artistic training at an early age. He was apprenticed to the painter Domenico Ghirlandaio and later studied sculpture with Bertoldo di Giovanni. His early works include the sculpture of the Madonna of the Stairs and the painting of the Doni Tondo. In 1505, Michelangelo was commissioned to create a monumental sculpture of David for the city of Florence. The resulting masterpiece is considered one of the greatest sculptures ever created and established Michelangelo as one of the leading artists of his time. Michelangelo's other major works include the Pieta, a sculpture of Mary holding the body of Jesus, and the Moses sculpture, which was intended for the tomb of Pope Julius II. He also designed the Medici Chapel in Florence and the Laurentian Library in Rome. Michelangelo was known for his intense concentration and dedication to his work, often working long hours without rest. He was also a prolific writer of poetry and letters, many of which survive today. Michelangelo died in Rome in 1564, aged 88. His legacy continues to inspire artists and art lovers the world over.

Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1527–1593) was an Italian painter famous for his extravagant paintings of human faces in the form of compositions of fruit and vegetables, often with portrait likenesses. The forgotten Renaissance artist was proclaimed in the twentieth century as a forerunner of Surrealism. This suggests that the artist was well ahead of his time and deserves to be known not only by specialists but also by the general public.