The Creation of Adam
1508 AD
1508 1508
12.29E41.56N
ART

ROME, ITALY
	Pope Julius wanted Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel with figures of Jesus' 12 disciples, but Michelangelo had a far more complex design in mind. He proposed painting scenes from the Bible book of Genesis that would contain hundreds of figures.
	He began work on the ceiling in 1508 with several assistants, whom he soon dismissed. He did the rest of the painting himself, using assistants only for menial tasks.
	The task took four and a half years. During that time Michelangelo not only had to endure the extreme physical hardship of lying on his back and reaching upward while painting, but he also had to endure complaining and much delayed payments. In September 1510 quit working until January 1511 because he had not been paid.
	But despite the problems, when he was finished he had created a masterpiece.
	Michelangelo painted six large ceiling panels in which he depicted: God's creation of light and darkness; the creation of the sun, moon and stars; the creation of the waters; the creation of Adam, the first man; the creation of Eve; and Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden. In addition, he painted three smaller panels showing the sacrifice of Noah; the Flood; and the drunkenness of Noah.
	The most famous and fascinating of these panels is the "Creation of Adam." In the picture, it appears that God is giving something to Adam. Perhaps God is giving him life, or a soul, or a blessing. Perhaps Michelangelo also meant to suggest that if man reaches out to God, God will reach out to man.
	The ceiling had until recently been covered with the grime of centuries of candles and oil lamps, but a thorough cleaning completed in 1989 has removed the dirt and the colors now shine with their original intensity.