Michelangelo was one of the most well-known artists of the Italian Renaissance, and his legacy lives on even today. Millions worldwide have seen his sculptures and paintings, numerous of which grace museums and churches in Rome and Florence.
The quintessential Renaissance man was a great admirer of Christianity and the Bible. Therefore, many bible references and stories can be seen in many of Michelangelo’s paintings. In this article, let’s talk about some of the most famous paintings by Michelangelo and learn about the bible stories inscribed in them. So, let us begin!
Creation of Adam – The Birth of the First Human
Commissioned by Pope Julius II himself, the Michelangelo artwork “Creation of Adam” is one of the most famous Christian paintings in art history. The painting is a part of the iconographic scheme of the Sistine Chapel, which shows a deep spiritual value and mystic symbolism.
The painting depicts the beginning of humanity as described in the Book of Genesis in the Christian Bible. A great accomplishment, Michelangelo artist tried to present the biblical moment with utmost clarity – God reaching out to the man, with his arms extended as the man, or Adam, awaits to be granted the first life.
This painting is just as mesmerising as the subject matter itself, which often makes people ask about the deeper meaning of the painting. Some critics also see the painting as depicting the transference of knowledge from God to humans. Also, the painting shows a mutual desire for affection between divinity and mankind, while some see the painting as the separation between the two.
The Last Judgement – Eternal Judgement of Mankind
The Last Judgement, one of the most famous works by Michelangelo, is an amazing piece of fresco created by the Italian genius between 1536 and 1541. Commissioned by Pope Paul III, the painting covers the entire wall behind the altar in the Sistine Chapel.
An iconic painting today, the painting had its share of controversy in its time. First, the piece was criticised for the pervasive nudity featured in the painting, which was later covered up by Michelangelo’s pupil, Daniele da Volterra.
In The Last Judgement, Michelangelo depicts the second coming of Christ as well as God’s final and eternal judgement of all humanity. The painting portrays the time when final judgments are being given by Christ to just departed souls. While some are rising as they depart for heaven, others are seen descending to the bottom for eternal damnation in Hell.
The Delphic Sibyl – Fortune Teller
The Delphic Sibyl is yet another fresco part of Michelangelo’s amazing masterpiece Sistine Chapel. In this particular painting by the artist, he portrays the Delphic Sibyl as the youngest of the five sibyls. The artist captures the young sibyl’s youth and beauty with absolute brilliance and perfection.
In Greek mythology, Delphic is the daughter of an immortal nymph and a sea monster. The Bible has no mention of the sibyl; however, according to Greek mythology, sibyls are believed to foresee the future of humans.
It is said that the Delphic sibyl started making prophecies and chanted proclamations about future events. She did this from a natural rock rostrum located near the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. The Delphic Sibyl was admired by all, and her future tellings were always on point. The gift of prophetic revelation ensured her fame till the end of time throughout the ancient world.
David and Goliath – The Story of A Miraculous Conquering
Depicting the story of David and Goliath from the Books of Samuel in the Old Testament, David and Goliath is an amazing masterpiece representing an amazing story. Created by the artist in 1509, the painting portrays the miraculous conquering of a Philistine Giant (Goliath) by a young man named David.
According to the Old Testament, David, a shepherd-turned-musician who later became a warrior after he accepted a challenge from the giant Goliath, is told in the Old Testament. If the tales are to be believed, David killed the giant Goliath merely using a staff, a sling, and five stones from a brook, after which the young man gained immense popularity.
Talking about the painting, Michelangelo has drawn very powerful shapes that command authority in every bit of the painting. However, unlike the prophets and sibyls in Michelangelo’s other paintings, the colours are fairly subdued in this painting yet contain a great degree of brilliance.
Sacrifice of Noah – Celebration of the Sacrifice
In the last year of his stay creating the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo created this wonderful fresco titled “Sacrifice of Noah”. The painting commemorates the celebration of the sacrifice made by Noah to God to save humanity.
According to the Bible, once there occurred a World Flood where a large number of humans lost their lives. With a sense of nobility for his salvation, Noah and his family wished to make sacrifices to the almighty to save the world. So Noah took cattle and birds in the purest and offered them as a burnt offering to the Lord.
Happy with Noah’s sacrifice, the Lord said he would never curse the world again. The painting is the seventh of the none scenes from the Book of Genesis painted by Michelangelo.
The Bottom Line
These are some of the masterpieces by the Italian genius and the Renaissance Man, Michelangelo Buonarroti. Each of these paintings represents and portrays one of the stories from the Bible and teaches us how our lifestyle should be.
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