Statue of David
In 1501 Michelangelo returned to Florence to sculpt David, a huge marble statue of David holding a slingshot. David was a king of ancient Israel who had used only a slingshot to kill the giant Goliath. One of the world's greatest statues, David represents the Renaissance idea of a perfect human form.
Sistine Chapel
In 1505, Pope Julius II called Michelangelo to Rome to work on statues for a chapel. In 1508, the pope asked Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Over the next few years Michelangelo covered the ceiling with paintings created on wet plaster. He worked standing on a platform about 60 feet (18 meters) above the floor. The main scenes show biblical stories, such as God creating Adam, and Hebrew prophets.
Medici Chapel
Michelangelo later went to Florence, where he made a marble chapel for the Medici family. The marble statues he made for the chapel are some of his greatest sculptures.