Michelangelo’s views on hope

Michelangelo Buonarroti is one of the most famous names in art history.

He was an Italian Renaissance artist who worked as a painter, sculptor, architect, even writing poetry.

Some of his most famous works are the iconic David statue and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Michel, as I like to call him sometimes, wasn’t just an amazing artist—his views on life, hope, and faith were really inspiring, especially when it came to handling tough times.

Whether it was the pressure of meeting deadlines, constant disagreements with clients, or the isolation that comes with being an artist, he had to push through and find the strength to keep going.

For Michel, hope was a belief that could only be built through perseverance, which is why he never gave up on his craft.

Michelangelo’s views on hope, and how his own struggles shaped his perspective.

Michelangelo didn’t think of hope as a passive feeling, for him, hope was more like a power source that pushes us to keep going.

“Hope is important.” says Michelangelo, “because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear.”

“And if we believe tomorrow will be better,” he added, “then we can bear/tolerate the hardships of today.”

For Michelangelo, hope wasn’t just about staying positive. It was about believing in the impossible knowing that even when things feel uncertain, there’s always something bigger at work.

No need to worry.

And given the fact that Michelangelo was pretty religious, his faith played a big role in how he saw hope. One of my favorite quotes from him, which shows his deep hope and imagination, came during the creation of the statue of David.

Michel writes, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” This shows how he believed in perseverance, faith, and that hope is found in the process of creating something beautiful and meaningful.

The Statue of David. Michelangelo (1475 -1564) Image by Thomas Haymann from Pixabay

Through his art, Michelangelo showed that hope isn’t just something you lean on when things are going well; it’s also what you hold onto during your darkest moments, knowing you’re part of something bigger than yourself.

In his other artworks, like the Creation of Adam, and the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Michelangelo expresses the idea that humans are connected to something divine, and that hope is closely tied to faith in a higher power.

In many ways, he’s reminding us that hope isn’t about just wishing things will get better on their own. Rather it’s about having the faith and courage to keep going, even when the future feels uncertain.

Image by Michael Skale from Pixabay

If you look closely at Michelangelo’s art, you can see his thoughts on hope. Whether it’s biblical figures or mythological gods, he often shows them in moments of deep emotion or struggle.

But there’s always this sense that they’re reaching, pushing through, or overcoming challenges.

Even in the most intense scenes of pain or suffering, you can catch a glimpse of hope if you believe that something good is just around the corner, and you’re also willing to work for it.

Whether you’re facing challenges in your personal life or simply trying to find your purpose, Michelangelo’s art and life show us that hope is an active, powerful force that can drives us forward.

Here’s how you can apply Michelangelo’s advice to your own life:

• Most importantly, never aim too low or think too small. You’re a part of something bigger, something that creates miracles. As Michelangelo reminds us, “The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high, and we miss it, but that it is too low, and we reach it.”
• Refuse to listen to or internalize feedback that aren’t useful or from those who point to your limitations. Because when you argue for your limitations, the only thing you get are limitations.
• And always keep hope alive by remembering this quote from Albert Einstein: “Great minds have always faced strong opposition from those who think small.”

So, next time you’re feeling down, remember the words of one of history’s greatest artists: Hope isn’t just about waiting for good things to happen; it’s about having the strength to keep creating, keep pushing, and trust that something beautiful is on the way.