Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam" fresco. Description and history of creation

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

"The Creation of Adam" is one of 9 frescoes painted according to biblical scenes and making up the compositional center of the painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Its author is Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564).

Backstory

Michelangelo is a famous painter and sculptor of the Renaissance. He lived a long and fruitful life. Born in 1475, already in the late 80s of the XV century, he began to study sculpture and fine arts, and in the early 90s he created his first independent works. Even in these youthful works (the author is 15-17 years old) the makings of a future genius are noticeable. By the beginning of the 16th century, Michelangelo was already a fairly well-known sculptor.

In 1505 he was invited by the Pope to build his own tomb, which took almost 40 years to complete. But the painting of the vaults of the Sistine Chapel, which was commissioned by the same Julius II, Michelangelo completed in record time. It took him only 4 years to create dozens of frescoes with a total area of 600 m², which depict more than 300 figures. The Creation of Adam fresco is one of the centralcompositions.

Art critics note that Michelangelo took up the painting of the vaults with great reluctance. He offered to entrust this matter to Raphael, but Julius II was adamant. Gradually, the work captivated the artist, so a masterpiece of monumental art was created.

Sistine Chapel

The building of the chapel was built at the end of the 15th century by order of Pope Sixtus IV. It is currently one of the most important places in the Catholic world. It is in this building that the conclave of archbishops and cardinals gathers to select a new pope.

According to the idea of Sixtus IV, the chapel was supposed to resemble a fortress in appearance, symbolizing the impregnable center, the heart of the Catholic Church, and to demonstrate the power of the Pope in interior decoration.

The building was built by the architect from Florence, Giorge de Dolci, and Botticelli, Rosselli, Perugino, Michelangelo and other famous artists of that time were engaged in painting and decorating the interior. The beauty and grandeur of the biblical characters captivate the Sistine Chapel at first sight. "The Creation of Adam" is a fresco that occupies one of the central places in the painting, it is also one of the most expressive.

Vaults of the Sistine Chapel

On the ceiling of the chapel, Michelangelo created a grandiose ensemble, in the center of which are placed 9 scenes from the Old Testament. The first plot is “Separation of light from darkness”, the last one is “Noah's drunkenness”. The central place in the composition is occupied by the frescoes "The Creation of Adam", "The Creation of Eve" and "The Fall".

Around the perimeter of the frescoes of the central field, figures of young men and girls, prophets and sibyls are depicted, and the sides of the vault are painted with scenes from the Old Testament and represent the predecessors of Jesus Christ.

When Michelangelo took up painting, he had neither the knowledge nor the experience of making frescoes. Experts from Florence were invited to help him. But very soon the sculptor surpassed them in technique. After chasing away his assistants, he single-handedly finished painting the huge ceiling.

The grand opening of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was timed to coincide with All Saints' Day in October 1512. The first viewers were struck by the beauty and titanism of the images, the colossal size of the painting, which is distinguished by the unity of the plot. However, even five centuries later, this work continues to enchant and delight.

"Creation of Adam" (Michelangelo). Description

The plot was taken from the Old Testament. The Bible says that God created man in his own image and likeness. The image can be conditionally divided into 2 parts. Above and to the right is the Lord. He appears in the form of a gray-haired, but full of physical strength old man. He is surrounded by a host of angels. Red draperies complete the look. They enhance the impression by conveying a sense of energy and power.

Adam's figure is shown below and to the left. This is a wonderful young man. His strength is not yet awakened, he reaches out to God with a weak hand. The right hand of the Lord is about to touch it and transfer vital energy to a person. When two hands touch, the act of creation is complete.

Features of painting

The Creation of Adam fresco stands out from others created by Michelangelo. Probably, this story particularly excited him. It is noteworthy that it does not depict the physical creation of man, but the transfer of vital energy to him - the soul, the spark of God. The artist managed to show the dynamics and drama of the scene.

Art critics note that Michelangelo's Adam stretches his hand not only to God, but also to Eve. She has not yet been born, the Almighty covers her with his left hand.

Until recently, Michelangelo was considered a bad colorist, noticing that the images he created are more reminiscent of painted statues. However, restoration work made it possible to restore the original color of the frescoes. Rich tones of various shades were used for the "Creation of Adam" scene. In terms of painting technique, this work can be put on a par with those created by the predecessors of Michelangelo, Giotto and Masaccio.