Michelangelo vs Raphael
Who? Pick one and see how the world splits.
- Michelangelo Italy · 1475–1564 54% · #18 in the world
- Raphael Italy · 1483–1520 46% · #32 in the world
What the votes say
Too close to call: the world picks Michelangelo over Raphael by just 54% to 46%. Michelangelo is #18 of the 185 thinkers in the world ranking and Raphael #32; among the 13 from Italy, they are #4 and #6.
The case for each
Michelangelo: Sculptor of the Pietà and David, painter of the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the Last Judgment, architect of St Peter's dome. Worked into the late 80s and was called 'the divine one' while still alive.
Raphael: The youngest of the High Renaissance trio: The School of Athens in the Vatican, the Sistine Madonna and a lifetime of perfectly balanced Madonnas, all before Raphael died at 37 in 1520.
Side by side
| Michelangelo | Raphael | |
|---|---|---|
| World rank | #18 | #32 |
| Country | Italy | Italy |
| Lived | 1475–1564 | 1483–1520 |