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Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2023 March 21

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March 21

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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

  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.
"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given name "Buonarrota" (or "Buonarroto").[2] I think Buonarotti is a misspelling, similar to grafitti for graffiti; historical documents as well as Michelangelo himself used "Buonarroti",[3][4] and I suppose "Buonarroto" stems from buon + arroto.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]