Iconography
The center of the ceiling is composed of nine scenes from Genesis, the first book of the Old Testament. These panels are surrounded by portraits of important individuals from the Bible. In total, 343 figures are incorporated into the scenes. These include characters from well-known narratives—including the story of Adam and Eve and the Great Flood—as well as Jesus' ancestors, those who predicted his birth, and Ignudi, or nude males.
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons
Central Scenes
The Separation of Light from Darkness
Photo: Web Gallery of Art via Wikimedia Commons{{PD-US}}
The Creation of the Sun, Moon and Vegetation
Photo: Sistine Chapel via Wikimedia Commons{{PD-US}}
The Separation of Land and Water
Photo: Web Gallery of Art via Wikimedia Commons{{PD-US}}
The Creation of Adam
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons{{PD-US}}
The Creation of Eve
Photo: Web Gallery of Art via Wikimedia Commons{{PD-US}}
The Fall of Man and the Expulsion from the Garden of Eden
Photo: Web Gallery of Art via Wikimedia Commons{{PD-US}}
The Sacrifice of Noah
Photo: HumanitiesWeb via Wikimedia Commons{{PD-US}}
The Great Flood
Photo: Web Gallery of Art via Wikimedia Commons{{PD-US}}
The Drunkenness of Noah
Photo: Jorge Valenzuela A via Wikimedia Commons{{PD-US}}
Examples of Figures
The Prophet Daniel
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons{{PD-US}}
The Delphic Sibyl
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons{{PD-US}}
Jesus' Ancestors, Jesse, David, and Solomon
Photo: gallery.euroweb via Wikimedia Commons{{PD-US}}
Ignudo
Photo: Web Gallery of Art via Wikimedia Commons{{PD-US}}
Legacy
Today, the Sistine Chapel remains both a popular tourist destination and highly religious site. Roughly 25,000 people view the spectacular ceiling each day, proving the lasting legacy of one of Michelangelo's most well-known works and of the striking art of the High Renaissance.
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons{{PD-US}}
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