Michelangelo Buonarroti
La Cappella Sistina

THE REVIEW

The Sistine Chapel is the colossal fresco painted in late age at almost 60 years old by the Tuscan genius.

It was started from the top and finished at the bottom and was exclusively painted entirely by him, certainly with the help of assistants who were periodically replaced to avoid any crumbs of glory going to them. Indeed, this fresco holds the record for the largest painting ever created by a single artist.

What strikes about this colossal work is the dynamism perceived; on the left side, the souls rise to paradise, while on the right they descend to hell, in the center Jesus, with his arms, creates a rotation impression indicating the direction of flow without the ascending or descending souls colliding.

Next to Jesus, there is Saint Peter, the keeper of the keys to the kingdom of heaven, to whom Michelangelo gave the face of Pope Julius III, the work's patron, then there is Saint Bartholomew who was flayed alive and holds his skin where Michelangelo has given his own face.

It is interesting to note the face of the Madonna, painted with dots, a seminal technique that would influence the future scene of the Macchiaioli and Impressionists.

There are also angels with trumpets carrying two books: a small one is the list of the blessed and a large one is the list of the damned, as if to say there are more damned than blessed in the world.

Diving deeper, many interesting details emerge, such as some painted figures describing Hebrew letters or phrases, or how the devils are painted with inhuman teeth, that is (if I remember correctly), with four or six frontal incisors.

Admiring this immense work, one is struck with awe; perhaps I preferred it before restoration when the colors, dimmed by candle smoke, rendered the work more evocative and majestic.