THE ART OF MICHAELANGELO

THE SISTINE CEILING 1508 - 1512 THE CREATION OF ADAM (1511) On the vault of the Sistine Ceiling, Michelangelo painted nine scenes from Genesis, of which the most famous is THE CREATION OF ADAM. Here, the listless body of Adam is about to be animated by the spirit of God at the gentle touch of their fingertips. This potent image may have been suggested by the Latin hymn VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS, in which God restores strength and courage to the weakened flesh with a touch of his finger.

THE SISTINE CEILING
(above and below) As part of the Sistine ceiling decoration, Michaelangelo painted five pagan Sibyls - ancient Seers who prophesied the coming of Christ. The Delphic Sibyl (above) was the first to be completed: a lovely sculptural figure seated on an architectural throne.

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