God and Adam - Michelangelo's Famous 500-Year-Old Sistine Chapel Painting

Michelangelo's famous fresco "The Creation of Adam" is painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.

An amazing feat painted over 500 years ago, during 1508 to 1512.

The painting depicts a scene from the Book of Genesis from the Bible.

I have always been amazed about this painting from the first time I saw it.

My Journey

In 2010, I visited the Vatican City, an oasis in the middle of Rome. To enter the Vatican, you need to pass through security and get your passport stamped, as it is a separate country from Italy.

Walking through the immaculate gardens and along corridors painted with heavenly images of the Sky, Earth, angels, and creations, it was an enlightening experience - and a world away from busy Rome outside.

The Sistine Chapel sits inside the Vatican and is actually quite small - 40m length by 13m width with a height of 20m. It would be smaller than most churches (however, St Peter's Basilica, the church at the end of the Vatican is enormous!!).

"The Creation of Adam", painted by Michelangelo about 1511.

Interpretation

Michelangelo never explained what his famous painting meant.

Scholars believe the painting depicts the biblical moment when God breathes life into Adam, the first man.

Some scholars interpret the red cloak around God as resembling a human brain, suggesting a symbolic link between divine intelligence and human consciousness.

Scholars suggest the almost touching fingers of God and Adam have come to symbolise human potential, the moment of awakening.

The woman next to God is generally believed to be Eve. As per the Genesis reading, Eve is still in the mind of God , waiting to be created. This reinforces the idea that the fresco represents the moment just before Adam receives life.

My Interpretation

It seems like God is desperately trying to save Adam, reaching everything to him.

God is trying to save man.

However, Adam is just casually leaning back, with a camp-like hand. Adam could reach God, but he doesn't seem in a rush, he has his hand hanging there as if he has all day.

God is surrounded by his angels, some of them looking on towards Adam.

But Adam, on Earth, is just there, in no rush to get closer to God.

"The Creation of Adam" on Federal Street, Auckland CBD, New Zealand

Reflections

Writing this blog made me realise I should be grateful for life.

I should be grateful every day that I have life.

Thank you for reading 🙏.