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March 21

Michaelangelo

Our article on the Renaissance artist gives his full name as Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni. In the 19th-century however, the spelling "Buonarotti" seems to have been more usual.^[1] Is one or the other preferable, and would you describe Buonarotti/Buonarroti as a surname? Doug butler (talk) 21:23, 21 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

References

^ "Michael Angelo". The Sydney Morning Herald. Vol. LI, no. 8417. New South Wales, Australia. 15 May 1865. p. 3. Retrieved 22 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.

"Buonarroti Simoni" is a double-barreled surname.^[1] The first component is derived from the given name "Buonarrota" (or "Buonarroto").^[2] I think Buonarotti is a misspelling, similar to grafitti for graffiti; historical documents as well as Michelangelo himself used "Buonarroti",^[3][4] and I suppose "Buonarroto" stems from buon + arroto. It seems Michelangelo did not actively use the combination; he was known by the name "Michelangelo Buonarroti", which was his preference, but in legal documents he used "Michelangelo Simoni". --Lambiam 10:04, 22 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks Lambiam. A clear exposition. Doug butler (talk) 06:22, 24 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

[1] "Michael Angelo". The Sydney Morning Herald. Vol. LI, no. 8417. New South Wales, Australia. 15 May 1865. p. 3. Retrieved 22 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.

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