he Julius Tomb, including the Moses, the Bound Slave, and the Dying Slave. Years later, while residing in Florence, Michelangelo undertook the commission of the Medici Tombs. In the designing of the tomb, he wanted no accessory forms, only statues whichwould express the thoughts of his soul. He renounced Christian traditions and named the statues Dawn, Dusk, Day, and Night.Shortly before Pope Clement VIIs death, the pope commissioned Michelangelo for an enormous fresco, the Last Judgment. All that happened in the church in the years that preceded the painting of the Last Judgment had a direct influence on the works conception. The Last Judgment, painted on the altar wall, represented humanity face to face with salvation. Michelangelos crowning achievement as an architect was his work at St. Peters Basilica, where he was named chief architect in 1546. As he grew old, Michelangelo wished more and more to be alone. He needed solitude and silence was a blessing to him and night his friend. Michelangelo Buonarroti died on February 18, 1564. Michelangelo was acclaimed by his contemporaries who acknowledge him as the greatest artist of all time. He greatly influenced the art of his century and was admired without reserve by some and hated by others, and honored by popes, emperors, princes, and poets....
