The Creation of Adam

March 31, 2011 - PRLog -- The Creation of Adam is one of the most well-known and famous artworks of all time, has been a defining stream in the art world. Created around 1511. It illustrates the Biblical story from the Book of Genesis in which God the Father breathes life into Adam, the first man. Chronologically the fourth in the series of panels depicting episodes from Genesis on the Sistine ceiling, it was among the last to be completed.

God is depicted as an elderly bearded man wrapped in a swirling cloak while Adam, on the lower left, is completely naked. God’s right arm is outstretched to impart the spark of life from his own finger into that of Adam, whose left arm is extended in a pose mirroring God’s, a reminder that man is created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26). Another point is that Adam’s finger and God’s finger are not touching. It gives the appearance that God, the giver of life, is reaching out to Adam and Adam is receiving.

The inspiration for Michelangelo’s treatment of the subject may come from a medieval hymn called Veni Creator Spiritus, which asks the ‘finger of the paternal right hand’ (digitus paternae dexterae) to give the faithful speech.

About the artist

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564), was arguably the most famous artist of the Italian Renaissance, and inarguably one of the greatest artists of all time. He considered himself a sculptor, primarily, but is equally well known for the paintings he was induced (grudgingly) to create. He was also an architect and an amateur poet.

"He is unique in Italy and perhaps in the universe," a contemporary said, and since he was 30 years old, up to the present, he has provoked unparalleled and uninterrupted amazement. He presents an image of total artistic power – in the imaginative scope of his conceptions, in the immense labour of their making, in the straining muscular force of the bodies he depicts.

The following are some popular oil painting reproductions of Michelangelo paintings:

The Creation of Adam (Detailed)

The Delphic Sibyl

The Ereathrean Sibyl

For Michelangelo reproductions, welcome to http://www.cheapwallarts.com.


Leading gallery in 100% handmade museum quality oil painting reproductions, art reproductions, canvas art at wholesale price, 70% off gallery price. Money back guarantee.