Michelangelo's delicate 69-inch-tall masterpiece featuring two figures carved from a single block of marble continues to draw legions of visitors to St. Peter's Basilica more than 500 years after its completion. .
In 1502, Michelangelo returned to Florence, which had become a republic. He received an order from the local authorities for a colossal marble statue of David. The Cathedral Cabildo also gave him an order for marble figures of the Twelve Apostles. In 1505, Pope Julius II asked Michelangelo to sculpt him a grand tomb with 40 life-size statues, and the artist began work. But as he worked on the statues, the pope's priorities shifted away from the project as he became entangled in military disputes and his funds became scarce, and an upset Michelangelo left Rome. Michelangelo did continue to work on the tomb, off and on, for decades. In 1508, Pope Julius II called Michelangelo back to Rome for a less expensive painting project. This painting was to depict the 12 disciples on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. According to one source, The Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV Della Rovere (pontiff from 1471 to 1484) who had the old Cappella Magna restored between 1477 and 1480. The 15th century decoration of the walls includes: the false drapes, the Stories of Moses (south and entrance walls) and of Christ (north and entrance walls) and the portraits of the Popes (north and south and entrance walls)(The Sistine Chapel). The ceiling frescos were completed in 1512. From 1512-1564, Michelangelo created masterpieces throughout Florence and Rome. He created such pieces as the Risen Christ for the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome. That piece was finished by his helper and unveiled only in 1521. Some of his pieces were left unfinished. .
From 1517-1520 he spent most of his time in Carrara and Pietrasanta. He signed a contract for the facade of San Lorenzo, which now includes 22 statues.
