Michelangelo and "The Creation of Adam"

Paper Summary:

Painter, sculptor, poet, and architect, Michelangelo dominated the art scene for almost the whole of the 16th century. This paper examines the time in history, known as the High Renaissance, in which Michelangelo created his masterpieces, touching on other painters of the time, such as Leonardo da Vinci. The paper then discusses Michelangelo's biography, patronage, and commissions. Finally, it presents a detailed analysis of "The Creation of Adam", a ceiling centerpiece in the Sistine Chapel.

From the Paper:

"The artist depicts the sublime act of creating Adam through a simple touch of the finger. A touch, yes, but not completely physical: God's index never touches Adam's, but let's us imagine God's whole power. Between God's index and Adam's finger, one can see the glitter of a superior will and of a superior power. Symbolically, God is surrounded by angels and by an elliptical mantle that signifies the initial "cosmic Egg" from which everything emerged. One can notice that Adam himself forms an ellipse, but only an incomplete one: he needs God's soul-giving touch for him to complete himself as a being."

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