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Five hundred years after Michelangelo Buonarroti painted it on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the "Creation of Adam" stands as one of the world's most famous artworks. But in 1508, when Pope Julius II offered Michelangelo the job, the artist tried to pass.
Michelangelo repeatedly explained to the pope that he considered himself a sculptor, not a painter. He was already renowned for two masterpieces: the deeply moving sculpture of Mary cradling Jesus's body - his Pietà - housed in St. Peter's Basilica, and the impressive statue of David in his hometown of Florence. But Julius knew that Michelangelo was no slouch with a paint brush. So when the artist tried to decline the commission, the pope made it an order.
Once he was committed to the project, Michelangelo didn't cut corners. Julius said he wanted to see portraits of the 12 apostles, but Michelangelo took it upon himself to cover the entire ceiling with more than 300 figures. |
