Page:Catholic Encyclopedia, volume 3.djvu/83

 BUNDERIUS

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BUONARROTI

Bunderius (Van den Bundere), Joannes, Flemish theologian and controversialist, b. of distinguished parents at Ghent in 1482; d. there 8 January, 1557. He entered the Dominican Order in his native city about 1500, and after having made his religious profession was sent to Louvain to pursue his studies in philosophy and theology. He obtained the degree of Lector in Sacred Theology, and in 1517 returned to Ghent, where, until near the close of his life, he taught philosophy and theology. While occupied in teaching he tilled the office of prior of the convent of Ghent throe times (1529-35; 1550-53), and dis- charged the duties of General Inquisitor of the Diocese of Tournai. As inquisitor he was untiring in his efforts to check the spread of the errors that were being disseminated by Lutherans, Calvinists, and Mennonites; but always used prudence in his dealings with heretics. Long training in the schools and the experience he had gained as professor of theology fitted him exceptionally well to explain and de- fend Catholic doc- trine, and to detect and expose the errors of heretical teaching. While prior of the convent of Ghent for die first time, he form- ed a federation of re- ligious orders in that city for the safeguard- ing of the faith of the people and for the preservation of the rights of the Church and the priv- ileges of the orders. In recognition of his ability as a preacher and as a reward for his long labours in the pulpit a general chap- ter of his order con- ferred upon him the degree of Preacher General. Of his writ- ings, which are neaily all of a polemical char- acter, the most worthy of note are: (^"Com- pendium dissidii quor- umdam hereticorum at que theologorum" (Paris, 1540-43,1545); C-'i "Compendium concert at ionis hujus sa'culi sapientium et theologorum" (Paris, 1549; Venice, 1553, etc). After the author's death tins work was frequently published under the title: "Compendium rerum tlieologarum, qua? hodie in eon- troversiaagitantur"; (3) " Detect io nugarum Lutheri cum dcclaratione veritatis Catholics (Louvain, 1551 ); (4) "De Vero Christi baptismo contra Mcnnonem Anabaptistarum principe (Louvain, 1553).

Ill .lo\<.to, H'l,juim Ditminiriiv.um (Brussels. 1719), 72; Echard. Script. Ord. PrTd., II, 160; Paqcot, Mhntrircs pour sirnr a rhistoire des Paye-Bas (Louvain. 17<',.",). 1,391.

A. L. McMahon.

Buonarroti, Michelangelo, Italian sculptor, painter, and architect, b. at Caprese in the valley of the upper Arno. fi March, 1475; d. at Rome, 18 Feb- ruary, 1564. Michelangelo, one of the greatest artists of all times, came from a noble Florentine family of small means, and in 1488 was apprenticed to Domenico Ghirlandajo. While apprentice, he excited the admiration of his master by the life-like animation of his drawings, and upon Ghirlandajo's

Michelangelo Buonarroti

recommendation, and at the wish of Lorenzo the Magnificent, he received further training (1489-92) in the palace of the Medici, at the school of sculpture then under the direction of Bertoldo, one of Do- natello's pupils. As student and resident of the palace, Michelangelo lived with Lorenzo's sons in the most distinguished society of Florence, and at this time was introduced by the poet Politian into the circle of the scholars of the Academy and to their learned pursuits. Meanwhile, Michelangelo was studying with marked success the frescoes in the Brancacci chapel. After Lorenzo's death he passed his time partly at home, partly at the mon- asti iy of Santo Spirito, where be busied himself with anatomical studies, and partly in the house of I'ietro de' Medici, who, however, was banished in 1491. About the same time Michelangelo left Flor- ence for Bologna. He returned in 1495, and began to work as a sculptor, taking as his model the works of his predecessors and the masterpieces of classical a n t iquity, without, however, sacrificing his individuality. In 1496 he went to Rome, whither his fame had preceded him, and re- mained there work- ing as a sculptor until 1501. Returning to Florence, he occupied himself with his paint- ing and sculpture un- til 1505, when Pope Julius II called him tu enter his service. After this, Michelan- gelo was employed al- ternately in Rome and Florence by Julius and his successors, Leo X, Clement VII, and Paul III being his special patrons. In 1534, shortly after the death of his father, Michel- angelo left Florence, never to return. The further events of his life are closely con- nected with his ar- tistic labours. Some weeks alter his death his body was brought bark tu Florence, and a few months later a stalely memorial serv- ice was held in the church of San Lorenzo. His nephew, Leonardo Buonarroti, erected a monument over his tomb in Santa Croce, fur which Vasari, his well-known pupil and biographer, furnished the design, and Duke Cosimo de' Medici the marble. The three arts are represented as mourning over the sarcophagus, above which is a niche containing a bust of Michelangelo. A monument was erected to his memory in 1 he church of the Santi Apostoli, at Rome, representing him as an artist in working garb, with an inscription: Tanto nomini nullum }>ar elogium. (No praise is sufficient lor so meat a man |

Michelangelo was a man of a many-sided character, independent and persistent in his views and his endeavours, His most striking characteristic was a sturdy determination, guided by a lofty ideal. Untiring, he worked until far advanced in years, at the cost of great personal sacrifices. He was not, however, unyielding to the point of obstinacy. His productions in all departments of art show the