Chapter 16 / The Sistine Chapel Ceiling

Michelangelo / 1512

Perhaps one of the most well known pieces of art is the painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. The painting was commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1506, and its creation lasted from 1508 to 1512. The painting is done in diogramatic form and the paintings seem right-side up to viewers. It includes nine main narratives in the center of the barrel walled ceiling, all of which are from the Old Testament referring to the Christian future. The paintings are done is reverse chronological order, ending with a creation scene in which God organizes the universe. There are three Adam and Eve scenes, including creation, temptation, and expulsion from Eden. There are also three Noah scenes showing god's destructive power, as well as his willingness to save humanity. Along the side of the ceiling, Jesus' ancestors are shown alluding to the divine plan. Each of the nine scenes are surrounded by four nudes. Each corner of the ceiling contains an Old Testament scene, and the spandrels and lunettes above the windows depict the ancestors of Christ.

One of the most famous frescoes on the ceiling is The Creation of Adam. God is shown extending his monumental figure towards Adam and is surrounded by nude figures. In contrast, Adam is shown as relaxed and sits in a reclined position. This signifies that he has not yet received the spark of life from God's touch, who is extending his finger towards him as if to touch him. All figures are in contrapposto, meaning that the figure is not putting equal weight on both legs.

Michelangelo was very focused on the human figure rather than on scenery. The painting is still widely studied today, and many believe that its mysteries are just now beginning to be uncovered. For example, in the scene where God separates light from darkness, closer observation of his throat reveals astonishing things. When transposed with an anatomically correct human brain stem, his throat is a perfect match. Why would Michelangelo depict God;s throat as a human brain stem? There are other hidden secrets in the painting as well, including the optic nerves of two eyes, precisely as Leonardo Da Vinci illustrated them, lower on God's robes. Of course, this could all be coincidence, but it is still eerie and worth studying.