3 . Michelangelo (1475-1564) is known as one of the greatest painters and sculptors in history. As a key figure of the High Renaissance, he is specifically celebrated for his ambitious approach to scale and his expertise on anatomy(解剖). While all of his masterworks convey his undeniable talent, his world-famous fresco(湿壁画) on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel stands above the rest.

Painted for the pope, the composition depicts a range of religious iconography(象征手法) in Michelangelo’s distinctive style, making it one of the most cherished masterpieces in the world.

The Sistine Chapel is a large chapel named after Pope Sixtus IV, who oversaw its restoration in the late 15th century. Historically, the chapel has had various important functions. Today, it still possesses its religious role, as it serves as the site where the next pope is elected.

What the Sistine Chapel is most well-known for, however, is its ceiling. Painted by Florentine fine artist Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni between 1508 and 1512, the complex and colorful fresco is celebrated for its realistic figures, vast size, and innovative process.

By the early 16th century, Michelangelo were a respected artist known throughout Italy. He was particularly praised for his ability—both in painting and sculpture—figures with lifelike anatomical features, as evident in his famous David statue from 1504. Given the artist’s reputation, it is no surprise that Pope Julius ordered him to decorate the ceiling of Sistine Chapel, whose walls were already decorated with frescoes by Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Perugino, and other famed artists.

While the pope’s plans for the ceiling was centered around a depiction of the 12 apostles(门徒), Michelangelo had bigger plans: he would paint several scenes in Bible featuring over 300 figures.

Like many other Italian Renaissance painters, he used a fresco technique, meaning he applied washes of paint to wet plaster(石灰泥). In order to create an illusion of depth, Michelangelo would remove some of the wet medium prior to painting. This method ended in visible “outlines” around his figures—a detail considered characteristic of the artist. As plaster dries quickly, Michelangelo worked in sections, applying planes of fresh plaster each day.

Today, the Sistine Chapel remains both a popular tourist destination and highly religious site. Roughly 25,000 people view the spectacular ceiling each day, proving the lasting legacy of one of Michelangelo’s most well-known works and of the striking art of the High Renaissance.

4 . Lao-tzu and Confucius were China’s most famous philosophers.     1     “Those who know do not say; those who say do not know.” said Lao-tzu. Confucius said that the best people say the least, but do the most.

    2     It comes from the story that he was born with white hair, already old and wise. ? Very little is known about Lao-tzu’ s life. His writings are titled the “Tao Te Ching”.

According to Taoism, the entire universe flows with a mysterious force called the Tao, which means “The Way”.     3     When people forget this, opinions of good and evil or true and false happen. Taoists try to remember their oneness. However, this is easier said than done, Lao-tzu said. Over time, Taoism changed a bit. ? Taoism became more popular in AD 440 when it became China’s state religion. Many people practice Taoism today.

Born in 551 BC, Confucius wandered throughout China as a government employee and a political adviser to the ruling Chou family.     4     After Corfucius died in 479 BC, his students wrote down his teachings and called them Lun-yu, or the Analects. Many of his clever sayings are still followed today. “It is as hard to be poor without complaining as to be rich without becoming arrogant (傲慢的).” Confucianism says it is important to learn to be human. People should act with goodness towards each other to create order and unity. Confucianism guided thinking in China until about a hundred years ago.

Taoism and Confucianism have differences and similarities. Confucianism tells people how to act toward each other. Taoism tells people how to find meaning in life. They both share ideas about man, society, and the universe. Both Taoism and Confucianism have served as guides.     5