Sistine Chapel: 10 Facts You Should Know
1. The Sistine Chapel was built by Pope Sixtus IV in 1473-1481 and is located in the Vatican City of Rome, Italy. It is one of the most famous art galleries in the world and houses some of Michelangelo’s famous frescoes, including The Last Judgment and Creation of Adam.
2. The Sistine Chapel was originally built as the private chapel of Pope Sixtus IV and was used by the papacy to conduct their most important ceremonies, including Papal Conclaves and Canonizations. The name “Sistine” comes from Pope Sixtus IV, who was the Pope when it was built.
3. The Sistine Chapel is renowned for its Renaissance frescoes, which were painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512. They depict a variety of scenes from the Old Testament such as Creation, Fall of Man, Last Judgment and more.
4. Contrary to popular belief, Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel in a standing position with a unique system of platforms and brackets. This impression that Michelangelo painted on his back might come from the 1965 film “The Agony and the Ecstasy” which starred Charlton Heston.
5. Michelangelo wrote a poem which described the physical strain of the project, stating that he had developed a goiter and his stomach was squashed under his chin.
6. Despite being over 500 years old, the Sistine Chapel's ceiling has held up remarkably well with only one small component missing, part of the sky in the panel depicting Noah’s escape from the great biblical flood. The section of painted plaster fell to the floor and shattered following an explosion in 1797.
7. Between 1980 and 1999, the artwork was restored and modernized, stripping away centuries of dirt and grime as well as fig leaves placed by Pope Pius IV in 1560s on Michelangelo’s nudes.
8. One of the most recognizable images is “The Creation of Adam” panel in which Michelangelo might have hidden the outline of a human brain to symbolize God bestowing intelligence.
9. The Sistine Chapel continues to draw millions of visitors each year, posing a threat to this priceless work of art.
10. With its remarkable resilience and iconic imagery, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling remains one of the world’s most celebrated artistic masterpieces.
By bringing to life stories from the bible and showcasing his mastery, Michelangelo has left an enduring legacy that will continue to be admired for generations to come.
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