Michelangelo created the frescoes for the Sistine Chapel over four years from 1508 to 1512. These paintings are considered some of the most influential works of Renaissance art. They depict several Biblical plots: the Creation of the Heavens and Earth, The Creation of Adam and Eve, the Expulsion from the Garden of Eden, and finally the story of Noah and the Great Flood.
Attitude
The composition of the Sistine Chapel ceiling most likely was not fully created by Michelangelo himself. Most of the details were negotiated with the Pope, who commissioned the frescoes. The central paintings are situated in a line on the ceiling. They are placed in the order events occur in the Bible. The individual plots often contain many small figures depicting different narratives. However, the pictures relating to God creating the world focus on the image of the Creator himself and his work. All of the images are centered on human figures. Michelangelo was obsessed with the human form and dedicated most of his effort to it. The main frescoes are framed by the figures of young men, Old Testament prophets, and Sybils. Sybils are pagan prophetesses who have predicted the coming of the Savior. The Christians interpreted those messages to mean the coming of Christ. Thus, they were added to the composition. The young men were added for purely decorative purposes. These figures make the frescoes more substantial and create an illusion of the crowd which underlines the importance of the events. At the corners of the ceiling, there are images of the peoples of Israel. The overall composition is crowded and leaves the impression of an audience gathered to witness the central scenes.
Style
Michelangelo was a sculptor, and it heavily influenced his painting style. He was inspired by Classical sculptures, and many of the figures resemble statues painted on the ceiling. They are monumental and depict great strength and beauty. Just like many artists of his age, Michelangelo followed ancient traditions. He was heavily inspired by Greek Mythology. His depiction of God is somewhat similar to an image of Zeus – an imposing and well-built man with a long beard and hair. The painting style of the artist was very distinct even at the time. He valued clear lines which separated him from many other painters of the age. Thanks to this aspect of the frescoes they do not blur together despite being overcrowded and extremely detailed. Michelangelo worked with light, bright colors. He painted with great dynamism. That is especially evident in the most famous part of the painting – The Creation of Adam. The fresco almost seems to move as the spectator sees God finishing his creation. He painted each of his characters with great attention to detail, using light and shadow to give them more volume. All of these features made Michelangelo’s style distinct and separated him from other Renaissance artists.
Conclusion
The ceiling frescoes of the Sistine Chapel are considered to be some of the most influential works of Renaissance art. They have influenced other artists of that time and are amongst the most recognizable pieces of art ever created. The Creation of Adam is repeatedly parodied and referenced in popular culture to this day. It is safe to say that the expertise of Michelangelo will continue to inspire people for generations to come.