Who Painted The Sistine Chapel
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The Sistine Chapel, an awe-inspiring example of Renaissance art located in Vatican City, is home to perhaps the most iconic artwork in the world – the famous ceiling painted and designed by Michelangelo.
The Sistine Chapel was built back in the late 15th century as a personal chapel for Pope Sixtus IV de’Medici and was commissioned within the Vatican Palace. After its completion in 1481, a team of 56 painters and mosaicists were employed to decorate the interior. The ceiling’s original decorations, featuring the 12 apostles featured above the altar, were created by Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli, who began the project in 1485 and completed it in 1490.
When Pope Julius II came to power in 1503, he was determined to improve the appearance of the interior, and he asked Michelangelo to paint a fresco on the large space above the altar. Little did the Pope know that this would lead to Michelangelo’s masterpiece!
Michelangelo, who was not an experienced fresco painter, accepted the task hesitantly and began the project in 1508 and it took four years for the artist to complete the magnificent ceiling fresco. Michelangelo painted beautiful scenes from various books of the Bible including the stories of Adam and Eve, the Creation of Adam, The Great Flood, and The Last Judgment. The artwork is believed to be based on Christian theology and classical philosophy, with its unique style making it the world-renowned symbol it is today.
Although Michelangelo is rightly credited with being the "Father of the Sistine Chapel", other great Renaissance painters such as Botticelli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio and Signorelli also had a role in its creation. Michelangelo, who challenged the conventions of prevailing art of the time, created a masterpiece that still stirs awe and admiration in people today.