The Creation of Adam is a fresco created by Michelangelo Buonarroti, or more commonly known as Michelangelo. The well-known painter of the Renaissance era lived throughout Italy from 1475 to 1564. After being born in Caprese his family moved to Florence where Michelangelo's artistic training began. During the year 1488 he became a pupil of Domenico Ghirlandaio, a well-known painter of the time. Soon after developing in the craft, the artist was patronized by Lorenzo de' Medici before becoming recognized and established as a sculptor. Between 1508 and 1512 the artist was commissioned to paint the vault of the Sistine Chapel and between 1511 and 1512 he created the Creation of Adam. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Michelangelo's Creation of Adam is a fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, Italy. After being commissioned by Pope Julius II, the artist was ordered to paint, rather than sculpt, through the service contract that existed between the two. As a result, he painted with “the sculptor's eye.” While working on the chapel, Michelangelo spent his time “perched on scaffolding with brush in hand.” Although many believed that his art was created while lying down, in reality he was standing when he painted his frescoes. “The artist and his assistants used wooden scaffolding that allowed them to stand and reach above their heads. Michelangelo himself designed the unique system of platforms, which were fixed to the walls with brackets." As for the process of creating what is now known as an "ambitious drawing," Michelangelo sketched out drawings in red chalk to get the outlines of the painting exactly as he wanted on paper before transferring the full-size versions to the ceiling. When it came time to make his paintings, the fresco technique was used, which is notoriously difficult “since it involves the application of water-based pigments to wet plaster and must be done very quickly.” In the Mediterranean area the use of frescoes was a common use of the style, dating back to before the 17th century BC for the creation of mural style paintings. Regardless of the challenges he faced, despite using what was for him a new painting technique, he still managed to "look as if he had painted the vault almost with one hand." Michelangelo's painting of the Creation of Adam is part of the High Renaissance style that existed in 16th-century Italy. This painting was exemplary for its time, as it presented characteristics of the concept of Humanism that was becoming established in the Renaissance era. Although his art is classified as part of the Renaissance style, Michelangelo created masterpieces that differentiated themselves from the common pieces of the era through "a style of vast expressive force conveyed through complex, eccentric, and often titanic forms." The artist's frescoes show how the Renaissance era was connected to both classical and Christian ideologies. During its creation, he took the project into his own hands by replacing straight architectural axes with curves and diagonals, differentiating himself from previous Italian painters. The 16th century's focus on the Renaissance incorporated concepts of individualism and anatomy, allowing realistic art to thrive throughout Italy. It helped provide “a model for the living world, a model centered primarily on man, derived not from authoritative, traditional religious dogma but from reason.” Michelangelo's obvious incorporation of emotion through his use of body language reflects.
tags