Michelangelo's Compass

This compass set, complete with accessories and housed in a case, is traditionally considered to have belonged to the famous Renaissance painter and sculptor Michelangelo. As were most of his contemporaries, Michelangelo was trained in mathematics, anatomy, engineering, and architecture as well as painting and sculpture. Learned men of his day were expected to know how to use the compass, dividers, astrolabe, and other common tools of the engineer and architect.