The Creation of Adam is
a fresco painting by Michelangelo. It was painted on the ceiling of the Sistine
Chapel in the Vatican in 1512. The painting is located next to the Creation of Eve, which is the panel at
the center of the room, and the Congregation
of the Waters, which is closer to the altar. The Creation of Adam portrayed the image of God when he breathed
life to Adam, the first human in this planet.
Michelangelo was one of the most famous Italian Renaissance
artists. He always considered himself as a sculptor even though his paintings
had the most inspiration out of all his works. From 1508 to 1512, Michelangelo received
a mission from Pope Julius II to paint a series of fresco paintings on the
ceiling of Sistine Chapel. There were nine pieces of art on the ceiling of the
chapel and each were based on the Book of Genesis. One of the more famous
paintings is The Creation of Adam, in
which God stretches out his finger to touch Adam. In essence, God wants to give
life to Adam, making him the first human.
In the painting, God and Adam are the main focal points.
Adam is on the left of the painting and portrayed as earthbound. He is a mortal
waiting for God to breathe life into him. On the opposite side is God amongst a
group of angels floating above earth, which can be understood as heaven. God is
portrayed as elderly and muscular with a gray beard and long, curly hair. From
this Michelangelo depicts God as the wisest person above all. Additionally, God
is represented as the model of Western imagination at that time. In contrast, Adam
is more muscular in form and youthful. The
Creation of Adam communicates the overall significance of the truth that humanity
was created based on the image of God. The muscular body also was well
represented by Michelangelo because he used to be a sculptor, where human body was
the main theme.
Furthermore, the painting is based on the Book of Genesis,
which is important for Christianity. Michelangelo combined his study of ancient
sculpture with his knowledge about human anatomy and an artist’s imagination to
create an entirely new painting. He painted Adam clearly naked which alludes to
the first chapter of the Bible. Moreover, the painting has a woman under the
arm of God, which some believe is reminiscent of Eve. She waits to become
Adam’s wife. On the other hand, people have also said that she could be the
Virgin Mary and the child next to her is Jesus Christ. However, neither
assumptions have been entirely confirmed.
In sum, I believe The
Creation of Adam is a beautiful painting and by far one of Michelangelo’s
most renowned pieces. It represents not only the symbolic connection between
God and humanity, but also alludes to the fact that humans can be strong and have
moral sense of direction. Additionally, the hands of God and Adam do not completely
touch one other which can be understood that we are not at the same level with
God. At the same time, God has an extreme power that is not tangible nor can it
be compare to. On the other hand, this painting is one of the more important vivid interpretations of the Bible in that it reveals the pivotal event of given life
to humanity from God.
In essence, The
Creation of Adam becomes one the greatest jewels of Western art. Although it
has suffered under the hands of time and environment conditions, the painting
does not lose its value of color and it historical worth. Today, more than five
million of people visit the Sistine Chapel annually any with great hopes to
catch a glimpse of one of history’s most beautiful and acclaimed paintings in
the world.
