A 500-year-old shopping memo, handwritten and illustrated by Michelangelo, has resurfaced online, sparking fascination. The Casa Buonarroti museum in Florence safeguards this historic note, believed to have been sketched for a servant who couldn’t read.

An artistic take on daily chores

Dated March 18, 1518, the list contains:

  • Bread rolls, outlined as simple circular shapes.
  • Fresh greens and preserved fish, neatly drawn.
  • Two portions of fennel stew, placed side by side.
  • A modest wine jug, indicating a preference for limited dry wine.

Michelangelo’s habit of turning mundane tasks into visual records showcases his exceptional eye for composition and detail.

Netizens react in awe

Reddit users were captivated, with one remarking that the illustrations likely helped both the shopkeeper and the assistant ensure all items were correctly purchased. Another joked, “Imagine the value of this scribbled note today!”

With only about 600 of Michelangelo’s sketches still in existence, this everyday list has become an extraordinary relic. It provides a rare peek into the personal life of one of history’s greatest artists, proving that even grocery lists can be masterpieces.