The Sistine Chapel Ceiling History

Volta della cappella sistina painted by michelangelo between 1508 and 1512 is a cornerstone work of high renaissance art the ceiling is that of the sistine chapel the large papal chapel built within the vatican between 1477 and 1480 by pope sixtus iv for whom the chapel is named it was painted at the commission of pope julius ii.

The sistine chapel ceiling history. It already contained distinguished wall paintings and michelangelo was asked to add works for the relatively unimportant ceiling. On the right side of the painting a cluster of people seeks sanctuary from the rain under a makeshift shelter. Detail michelangelo the deluge ceiling of the sistine chapel 1508 1512 fresco vatican city rome in this fresco michelangelo has used the physical space of the water and the sky to separate four distinct parts of the narrative.

Michelangelo buonarroti the greatest of the italian. The sistine chapel ceiling italian. The ceiling of the sistine chapel in rome one of italian artist michelangelo s finest works is exhibited to the public for the first time.

The sistine chapel is a large chapel in the vatican city. What the sistine chapel is most well known for however is its ceiling. Michelangelo ceiling of the sistine chapel fresco 1508 1512 vatican city rome.

The most important artworks in the chapel are the frescoes by michelangelo on the ceiling and on the west wall behind the altar. Painted by florentine fine artist michelangelo di lodovico buonarroti simoni between 1508 and 1512 the complex and colorful fresco is celebrated for its realistic figures vast size and innovative process. Read on to learn about the history of this masterpiece.

The ceiling of the sistine chapel the sistine chapel had great symbolic meaning for the papacy as the chief consecrated space in the vatican used for great ceremonies such as electing and inaugurating new popes. It is renowned for its renaissance art especially the ceiling painted by michelangelo and attracts more than 5 million visitors each year.