The Creation of Adam is one of nine frescoes paintedon biblical scenes and components of the composite center of the ceiling painting of the Sistine Chapel. Its author is Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564).
Michelangelo is an illustrious painter andsculptor of the Renaissance. He lived a long and fruitful life. Born in 1475, in the late 80s of the 15th century, he began to study sculpture and the visual arts, and in the early 1990s he created his first independent works. Even in these youthful works (author of 15-17 years), the makings of a future genius are noticeable. By the beginning of the XVI century, Michelangelo was already quite a famous sculptor.
В 1505 года папа Римский пригласил его для creating his own tomb, the work on which lasted almost 40 years. But the painting of the arches of the Sistine Chapel, which was commissioned to do the same by Julius II, Michelangelo finished in record time. Only 4 years it took him to create dozens of frescoes with a total area of 600 m², which depicts more than 300 figures. The fresco "The Creation of Adam" - one of the central in the whole composition.
Искусствоведы отмечают, что за роспись сводов Michelangelo took it with great reluctance. He offered to entrust this matter to Raphael, but Julius II was adamant. Gradually, the work fascinated the artist, so a masterpiece of monumental art was created.
The chapel building was built at the end of the 15th century.the order of Pope Sixt IV. Currently it is one of the most important places in the Catholic world. It is in this building that the conclave of the archbishops and cardinals is going to select the new pope.
As planned by Sixtus IV, the chapel should have been externallooking like a fortress, symbolizing the impregnable center, the heart of the Catholic Church, and demonstrating the power of the Pope with its interior.
The building was built by an architect from Florence GeorgeBotticelli, Rosselli, Perugino, Michelangelo and other famous artists of the time were engaged in painting and decorating the interior. The Sistine Chapel conquers with the beauty and grandeur of the biblical characters at a glance. The Creation of Adam is a fresco occupying one of the central places in the painting, it is also one of the most expressive.
On the ceiling of the chapel, Michelangelo createdGrand Ensemble, in the center of which are placed 9 scenes from the Old Testament. The first plot is “The separation of light from darkness,” the last is “Noah's Drunkenness.” Central to the composition are the murals The Creation of Adam, The Creation of Eve, and The Fall.
Along the perimeter of the frescoes of the central field, there are figures of boys and girls, prophets and sibyls, and the sides of the vault are painted with scenes from the Old Testament and represent the forerunners of Jesus Christ.
When Michelangelo took up the painting, he didn’tthere was no knowledge or experience in making frescoes. Experts from Florence were invited to help him. But very soon the sculptor surpassed them in technology. After chasing the assistants, he single-handedly completed the painting of the huge ceiling.
Grand opening of the Sistine ceilingThe chapel was timed to All Saints Day in October 1512. The first spectators were struck by the beauty and titanism of images, the colossal size of the mural, which is distinguished by the unity of the plot. However, five centuries later, this work continues to enchant and delight.
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 divided into 2 parts. The Lord is above and to the right. He appears as a gray-haired but full of physical forces of an old man. He is surrounded by a host of angels. Red draperies complete the look. They enhance the impression, conveying a sense of energy and strength.
Below and to the left is the figure of Adam.This is a wonderful young man. His powers are 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 life energy to a person. When two hands touch, the act of creation will end.
The mural "The Creation of Adam" stands out amongothers created by Michelangelo. Probably, this story is particularly excited about it. It is noteworthy that it depicts not 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 Adam Michelangelo is reaching out not only to God, but also to Eve. She has not yet been born, the Most High covers her with his left hand.
Until recently, Michelangelo was considered bad.colorist, noting that the images created by him, more like painted statues. However, the restoration work allowed to restore the original color of the frescoes. For the scene "The Creation of Adam" were used rich tones of various shades. According to the painting technique, this work can be put on a par with those created by the predecessors of Michelangelo, Giotto and Masaccio.
