Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam is a renaissance era work depicting the Judeo-Christion God creating the first human. It is a part of a larger composition of paintings on the same ceiling. Unlike many conventional oil paintings on canvas, the Creation of Adam was developed directly on the plaster ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (Michelangelo, n.d.). This style uses a technique referred to as fresco, where pigmentation is added to lime water and then swiftly painted onto wet plaster. The large painting was finished around 1512 and can still be seen today in the Vatican. The artwork was commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV during the high renaissance era and displayed much of the mastery of art technique of the time (Jacobus & Martin, 2018). The painting is an excellent depiction of the shift in beliefs at the time, as it focuses on religion yet portrays an idealized human form. Adam’s Creation depicts God reaching down from heaven and giving life to Adam as a proxy for humankind (Michelangelo, n.d.). Simultaneously, it reveals Adam as muscular and tall, reaching out to receive life from God.
As an older, well-known piece of art, the Creation of Adam allows me to see and follow the trends and changes in how art is debated and discussed worldwide. While Michelangelo’s work remains static, the culture and tastes of humans have changed. Learning more about the Creation of Adam, specifically, by researching contemporary and late renaissance to early modern texts, allows me to map a timeline of art mentally. This is valuable to any student of the humanities, as it covers changes in human perception and experience. This activity is central to the practice of the given discipline both in a university setting and in the workplace.
Humanities is a broad area that incorporates the creative disciplines that inspire people to grow, sense, and think in numerous unique ways. This sphere of knowledge focuses on the essence of human existence, addressing the essential questions in an artistic and elevated manner. Throughout the course of my lifetime, I was significantly influenced by literature, as this discipline brought in the accounts and perspectives on numerous subjects that helped me comprehend my own experiences. Various types of literary narratives tend to conceive important messages established through a series of themes. Overall, learning from the protagonist’s mistakes and victories allows me to recognize the essential qualities of flourishing individuals. For example, one of my favorite authors, Ernest Hemingway, has inspired me to be more perspective about human conditions, as he was incredibly skilled at identifying human traits beneath the surface.
Higher education tends to not exclusively be aimed at providing specific practical qualities but also to offer students development in diverse directions. Thus, some courses allow pupils to understand various artworks and be well-informed members of their societies who recognize numerous cultural artifacts, as well as acknowledge their influence on global history. The course Introduction to Humanities allowed me to become aware of multiple significant works of literature, sculpture, art, cinematography, and more. Overall, being a well-informed individual is beneficial in every society, particularly in personal life, since making human connections with people from various backgrounds is more comfortable when one is educated and well-read. The class also allowed me to develop my critical thinking, which can be exceptionally valuable in my future career. Thus, the course was extremely useful, as it enabled me to acquire vital and indispensable characteristics.
References
Martin, F. D., & Jacobus, L. A. (2018). The humanities through the arts. McGraw-Hill Education.
Michelangelo. (n.d.). Creation of Adam [painting]. Sistine Chapel, Vatican City State. Web.