Essay from the year 2012 in the subject Art - History of Art grade: 1 7 University of Essex
(Art History) course: The High Renaissance in Italy language: English abstract: In 1508
Michelangelo began with his working on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel he completed it four
years later. His frescoes show stories of the Old Testament about creation and fall of
humankind and give an anticipation of salvation through Christ. Michelangelo at first did not
want to paint the ceiling because he saw himself as sculptor and thought of the commission as
trap of his rivals. Moreover it was unusual for ceiling frescoes to show narration they were
in general regarded as minor compared to walls. Michelangelo undeniably taught art history
better his artwork became a masterpiece of High Renaissance. This essay is going to examine
Michelangelo's concerns in decorating the ceiling especially in regard to the representation
of narration and how successful his attempts were.
