Two damned souls fighting, after Michelangelo's 'The Last Judgment' fresco in the Sistine Chapel

Printmaking in woodcut and engraving came to Northern Italy within a few decades of their invention north of the Alps. Engraving probably came first to Florence in the 1440s, the goldsmith Maso Finiguerra (1426–64) used the technique. Italian engraving caught the very early Renaissance, 1460–1490. Print copying was a widely accepted practice, as well as copying of paintings viewed as images in their own right.

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.