The Creation of Adam

                       

     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.