This week we had the opportunity to visit the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum with our amazing tour guide Giulia.  Before we entered the inside of the museum, we learned all about the frescos painted on the ceiling.  

Michelangelo, commissioned by Pope Julius II, was the artist held responsible for the entire project, which display the Old and New Testaments on the ceiling of the chapel. Originally, Pope Julius II gave Michelangelo four months to finish the entire ceiling.  Michelangelo ended up taking four years to finish the project.  During this time, Michelangelo was given free rein to do as he wished, however this project came at a cost to his personal life.  Through these four years, Michelangelo spent every moment painting while hunched over on scaffolding and painted through the night only with the light of one candle.  

Each painting has such intricate design and detail.  Each scene is blocked out by squares that depict stories from the Bible. The figures in the paintings proportions are much bigger than you would think.  In one of the squares, a man’s finger alone is the length of two forearms. Once we entered the chapel, I was fully able to appreciate all of the time and effort Michelangelo put into his art. When I bent my head back, the figures felt like they were jumping out at me.  The detail and use of color throughout all of the scenes is remarkable. It was the most amazing sight, something we will never forget!

Liz Cowhey