Michelangelo was born in Tuscany, Italy. At a young age, he showed no interest in his education, as he preferred to copy paintings from churches and seek the company of other painters. As Florence was at that time Italy's greatest artistic center, Michelangelo had the opportunity to meet with great artists and flourish under the guidance of Lorenzo de’ Medici, and sculptor Bertoldo di Giovanni. He became popular as a sculptor, painter, architect and poet and is often considered a contender for the title of the archetypal Renaissance man, along with Leonardo da Vinci. Some of his most recognized works are David, Pieta, The Last Judgement and Moses.