Following is a timeline of important dates in the life of Michelangelo Buonarroti. As some dates are subject to dispute, those reflected here in this Michelangelo Buonarroti timeline may be considered only generally accurate. Other artists/events may be included here to give historical perspective for this Michelangelo Buonarroti timeline.
| Italian Renaissance Artist & Architect, | |
| 1475 | Michelangelo Buonarroti born in Caprese (March 6) |
| 1478 | Lorenzo the Magnificent de’ Medici rules Florence until his death in 1492; Pazzi Conspiracy against Lorenzo in which Lorenzo’s brother, Giuliano de Medici, dies |
| 1480 | Spanish inquisition introduced |
| 1483 | End of reign of Louis XI France |
| 1483 | Birth of Raphael Sanzio |
| 1483 | Papal bull condemns witchcraft |
| 1484 | End of Sixtus IV pontificate |
| 1485 | Botticelli paints Birth of Venus |
| 1485 | Ivan III brings Italian architects to Moscow to aid in rebuilding the Kremlin |
| 1487 | Michelangelo documented in Ghirlandaio‘s workshop |
| 1490 | Michelangelo in Medici household |
| 1492 | Columbus discovers the New World |
| 1492 | Death of Lorenzo de’ Medici (Il Magnifico) |
| 1494 | Medici expelled from Florence |
| 1494 | Michelangelo in Bologna until 1495 |
| 1494 | France invades Italy |
| 1495 | Michelangelo returns to Florence where Savonarola is influential |
| 1496 | Michelangelo’s first trip to Rome where he carves Bacchus. |
| 1496 | Santo Domingo founded |
| 1498 | Savonarola burned at the stake in Florence |
| 1498 | Michelangelo contracts to carve Pieta which he finishes a year later. |
| 1501 | Michelangelo begins carving David |
| 1503 | Michelangelo commissioned for 12 apostles for Duomo |
| 1503 | Julius II elected pope; major patron of the arts |
| 1503 | To1505, Michelangelo completes the Doni Tondo, Taddei Tondo, Pitti Tondo, Bruges Madonna |
| 1504 | Michelangelo completes David; receives commission for Battle of Cascina |
| 1505 | Michelangelo summoned to Rome, commissioned for Tomb of Pope Julius II |
| 1505 | Michelangelo works on Moses, slave figures, Rachel and Leah |
| 1506 | Michelangelo returns to Florence; reconciles with Pope in Bologna |
| 1506 | Discovery of Nero’s palace and Laocoon in Rome |
| 1506 | Construction of St. Peter’s basilica in Rome begins; ends 1612 |
| 1507 | Michelangelo in Bologna working on bronze statue of Julius II |
| 1508 | Michelangelo painting Sistine Chapel ceiling; finishes in 1512 |
| 1513 | Michelangelo signs 2nd contract for Tomb of Julius II |
| 1513 | Julius II dies; Medici pope Leo X elected |
| 1514 | Michelangelo commissioned for the Risen Christ, Rome |
| 1516 | Michelangelo returns to Florence; commissioned for Medici church San Lorenzo façade |
| 1516 | Michelangelo signs 3rd contract for Julius II tomb |
| 1517 | Raphael paints The Transfiguration |
| 1519 | Michelangelo commissioned to design New Sacristy, Medici Chapel, San Lorenzo in Florence |
| 1519 | Leonardo da Vinci dies |
| 1520 | Michelangelo’s Medici Chapel façade contract cancelled |
| 1520 | Raphael Sanzio dies |
| 1521 | Leo X dies; Suleiman II, the Magnificent, takes Belgrade |
| 1523 | Medici pope Clement VII elected |
| 1527 | Michelangelo commissioned to carve Hercules (never completed) |
| 1527 | Holy Roman Emperor Charles V sacks Rome |
| 1529 | Florence beseiged by combined forces of Charles V and Pope Clement VII |
| 1529 | The Turks besiege Vienna |
| 1530 | Michelangelo carves Apollo/David |
| 1532 | Michelangelo signs 4th contract for Tomb of Julius II |
| 1533 | Michelangelo completes Reliquary Tribune balcony in San Lorenzo, Florence |
| 1534 | Death of Pope Clement VII; election of Farnese Pope Paul III |
| 1534 | Michelangelo leaves Florence for the last time for Rome where he remains |
| 1535 | Holy Roman Emperor Charles V occupies Milan |
| 1536 | Michelangelo begins painting Sistine Chapel Last Judgment |
| 1538 | Michelangelo begins work on Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill), Rome |
| 1540 | Michelangelo carves Brutus bust |
| 1541 | Michelangelo completes Last Judgment |
| 1542 | Michelangelo signs 5th contract with Julius II heirs for tomb |
| 1545 | Michelangelo Tomb of Julius II installed; still working on Pauline Chapel frescoes |
| 1546 | Michelangelo appointed chief architect of St. Peters and FarnesePalace |
| 1547 | Michelangelo begins work on Pieta for his own Florentine tomb (never finished) |
| 1550 | Michelangelo completes Pauline Chapel frescoes |
| 1550 | Vasari publishes first edition of Lives of the Artists |
| 1550 | Renaissance ends (generally accepted) |
| 1553 | Ascanio Condivi published Life of Michelangelo with Michelangelo’s guidance |
| 1555 | Michelangelo’s favorite assistant, Urbino, dies; starts work on Rondanini Pieta |
| 1559 | Michelangelo designs San Giovanni dei Fiorentini, Rome |
| 1560 | Michelangelo commissioned for Sforza Chapel in Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome |
| 1561 | Michelangelo commissioned for Porta Pia and Santa Mariadegli Angeli, Rome |
| 1564 | Michelangelo Buonarroti dies at home, Rome |
End of Michelangelo Buonarroti Timeline | |