This collection investigates the multifaceted creative and personal life of Michelangelo Buonarroti through his own literary output and the contemporary account of his pupil. George Bull, a scholar and translator of Italian classics, compiles these primary sources to provide a comprehensive view of the artist beyond his visual works. By juxtaposing personal correspondence, poetic expression, and a foundational biography, the text argues that Michelangelo's intellectual and emotional life was as significant as his artistic production.

Scholars and historians frequently cite this volume as a standard entry point for understanding the literary dimensions of Michelangelo's career. Experts highlight the clarity of Bull's translations as a primary reason for the book's enduring utility in academic and general interest settings.