The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo Buonarroti is one of the most famous paintings in the world.
This well-known fresco was painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City by Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni in 1511. It measures around 480 x 230 centimeters. The Creation of Adam is one of nine images that adorn the central axis of the ceiling that illustrates important scenes from the Book of Genesis.
As part of one of my assignments for this lab, I will provide a visual description of this piece of art.
In The Creation of Adam, we see two main characters on opposite sides of this fresco. Imagine a rectangular landscape layout. One nude man, who represents Adam, is on the lower left-hand corner lying on what appears to be the top of a hill, while the other man, who represents God, is on the upper right-hand side floating in the sky. This second one is dressed with a pale white tunic and is surrounded by secondary characters that appear to be angels. All the angels are naked. There is a red cloth behind God and the angels. A green scarf hangs beneath God. The background of the painting is white. Adam has short blond hair. God has long white hair and beard, and looks much older than Adam. The hill where Adam is positioned is also green and has a thick blue edge. God and all of the angels except for one are facing Adam, who is looking back at them.
We can see a symmetrical line from Adam’s left arm extending to God’s right hand. Their hands are reaching towards each other, and God’s index finger is almost touching Adam’s. There is a triangular shape on the hill where Adam is laying. The cloth behind God and the angels has an oval shape. The focal point of this work of art is believed to be in the intentional contact between the fingers of God and those of Adam. God is hugging one of the angels next to him with his right arm. All the angels seem to be holding God. There is one supporting God from underneath.
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Great description, Rocio. I think it would be interesting to also note that the background of the painting is a brighter white behind God and a darker more grayish color behind Adam. Indeed the focal point is the hands of both God and Adam.
ReplyDeleteRocio, I like your description of the angels in an oval shape. I wonder if it is symbolic of a womb since God is giving life to Adam, who is the image of God. I would love to see this in person sometime!
ReplyDeleteGood observation of the use of geometric shapes in this painting, Rocio. I like the way you describe the relationship of the figures to each other in the painting's composition. What of that tiny space between the fingers? It comes directly in the center of the painting, and adds a great deal of tension and interest to the viewer there. You could say just a bit more about this. I like the additional observations of Jess and Betty above, too--noting the way that the background colors portray the divine and earthly surroundings of the two figures, and the interpretation of the oval you noticed as a womb. A great painting to bring to our discussion.
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