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Primary sourceBook16th century (1960 edition)

Rime (Poems) of Michelangelo

Michelangelo Buonarroti · 16th century (1960 edition)

A scholarly Italian edition of Michelangelo's own poems, his words in his original language.

Michelangelo's own poetry, giving direct access to his personal thoughts in his own language.

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About this source

What it is

This is a modern scholarly edition of Michelangelo's Rime, his collected poems, edited by Enzo Noè Girardi and published in Italian. The poems themselves were written by Michelangelo in the 16th century.

Why it matters

Michelangelo is remembered mainly as a sculptor, painter and architect, but he also wrote poetry, including love poems and reflections on mortality and fortune. These poems reveal a more personal, inward side of him, showing his thoughts and feelings in his own words rather than through his art.

Look closer

  • What do the themes of these poems—time, fortune, beauty—suggest about Michelangelo's inner life?
  • Why might a modern scholarly edition be useful even though the poems are centuries old?
  • How does reading Michelangelo's words compare with looking at his sculptures or paintings?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Michelangelo Buonarroti on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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