The Sistine Chapel Ceiling

With the preferred desire to sculpt, Michelangelo, an Italian artist painted the Sistine Chapel Ceiling with the illusion that many images were actual sculptures. The Sistine Chapel Ceiling is a fresco that depicts scripture from the Bible. The center of the painting begins with scripture from the Book of Genesis: “Separation of Light from Darkness” to “Drunkenness of Noah,” which is encompassed by an architectural framework that looks real. Then along the sides there are lunettes with the ancestors of Christ, which is then connected by four pendentives with well-known Bible stories such as David and Goliath. The Sistine Chapel is the official residence of the Pope, in Vatican City. The surface area in which the Sistine Chapel Ceiling is painted is 45’ x 128’and was painted in 1508-1512. Michelangelo was a brilliant artist in the High Renaissance era of the early sixteenth century.

Shape

The Sistine

Michelangelo does not restrict himself with a few colors but rather explored many colors. There are primary hues, secondary hues, and neutrals. He created contrasts through complementary colors such as red and green as shown in many of the images clothing. The vibrant yellow orange and yellow in the clothing of the Sibyl just under God shows the woman not only as elegant and beautiful, but also with strength and grace as she reaches for the book of prophecy. The colors used for her clothing clearly indicates that she is a woman of importance.

Texture

The Sistine Chapel Ceiling is a fresco and therefore, painted on a rough plaster surface. If this painting could be touched, it would feel rough. The Sistine Chapel is quite large and since this painting is on the ceiling it would make the ability to touch it almost impossible, but one might perceive the texture to be smooth. The colors of the clothing make the clothing appear to be soft and luxurious which would also give the illusion of a smooth texture.

Space and