The High Renaissance and Its Everlasting Artwork

The High Renaissance and Its Everlasting Artwork

Creation of Adam Painting, 1508-1512, Rome, Italy

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This amazing and extremely iconic painting was done by the famous artist Michelangelo. This painting was done in the year 1508-1512 and took almost 4 years to complete. This divine art work resides on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, Italy.  This painting was done during the high Renaissance and is famously known all around the world. This painting is called "Creation of Adam" and shows God creating the first man on earth, Adam.

Michelangelo had a great interest in Neo- Platonism, he studied it in school. Neo-platonism is a philosophical and religious system developed by the followers of Plotinus in the 3rd century A.D. Neoplatonic is the manipulation of darkness and light. You can see these themes in Michelangelo paintings, like this one of "Creation of Adam". In the painting the good things , like god, are light and in the center of the photo. While the bad or imperfect things are dark and in the corners of the print. 

Michelangelo Portrait 1475-1564
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It shows the two barely touching fingers from heaven to earth. This painting is the most famous artwork in all of the Sistine Chapel and is located next to the "Creation of Eve" painting. The symbol of God and Adam barley touching is not only to give life to Adam but to give life to all of mankind, it is therefore the birth of the human race. This painting is also apart of a series of other paintings, it is the fourth in the series and is depicting episodes from Genesis. The painting is a huge piece of art and the entire piece of artwork is over 500 square meters of ceiling. 

Sources: 

History.com Editors. “History.com”. Michelangelo, A&E Television Networks, 18 Oct. 2010

Link: https://www.history.com/topics/renaissance/michelangelo

ItalianRenaissance.org, "Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam," in ItalianRenaissance.org, September 14, 2012, 

Link: http://www.italianrenaissance.org/michelangelo-creation-of-adam/.