Why does Michelangelo paint nude people?

Answer 1

First and most obvious is in part the fact that most studio training of that period utilized male models as it was not appropriate or even allowed for women to attend studios as students let alone model in the nude (this prejudice wouldn't break for some time later). Therefore artists had to deal with what they had, which often necessitated male models 'standing in' for female poses for ie. paintings and explains part of the somewhat 'masculine' look of some female depictions. But it is unfair to be absolute since, in light of Michs illegal and/or immoral sneaking of cadavers for study, its most likely that he and others also would have studied live females, albeit in privacy. (Ironically the earlier Greeks, which instructed Europeans on the figure, were much less prejudiced and their sophisticated realism of their female sculptures makes it obvious that they did not have this handicap). The forms of male models are more prominent and easier to translate etc. (than female) which also makes it understandable why there's a predominance of great male figure work - fueled in part by male testosterone designing those often pious but nevertheless fantastic and powerful depictions of action scenes etc. Speculation about Mich's sexuality influencing his work is baseless and mention of it in literature is, I can only imagine, an unfortunate part of the 'alternate' crowds agenda - besides it is irrelevant and has nothing to do with the art form Renaissance artists cultivated. Similar confusion haunts Greek work as well with the seemingly more 'feminine' Classical period work being overly praised by the far more advanced work of the Hellenistic period which captivated Mich intellectually.