Michelangelo is only one of a series of juvenile biographies that Ripley wrote on great artists from history. Designed as an informative introduction to Michelangelo and his work, her book serves as an educational tool in acquainting young readers with some of the most highly acclaimed art in the world. Ripley is effective in giving insight into a personage who had a tremendous impact on the history of art. Although published in 1953, Ripley’s subject matter is timeless and continues to be useful in educating young readers.

The juvenile biographies written by Ripley include Leonardo da Vinci (1952), Vincent van Gogh (1954), Rembrandt (1955), Rubens (1957), and Picasso (1959), among many others. Each of these works reflects Ripley’s educational background in art and education, as well as her extensive research into the history, culture, and individual works of each artist.