ALEC: The Sistine Chapel Ceiling by Michelangelo

Upon completion of the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican approached Michelangelo with an offer to paint its high ceilings. It was thought their key reason for choosing him lay in the fact he was trained by Gnirlandaio, a prolific Florentine fresco painter. Although primarily a sculptor Michelangelo reluctantly accepted the churches offer and worked on the painting between the years 1508 and 1512.

Centuries on and his ceiling frescos are apart of the most renowned artworks of the high renaissance period.

Due to the high architectural nature of the ceilings the painting needed to be completed in three stages

To reach such high places Michelangelo designed his own purpose built scaffolding equipment (made primarily from wooden planks and brackets) which aloud him to lay on his back and work. Michelangelo used a style of painting known as fresco, in which paint is applied in layers to damp plaster known as ‘gionata’. In the early stages the damp plaster proved troublesome as it began to grow mould before Michelangelo could finish the section. The reason why frescos are painted on wet, not dry plaster is that working on dry plaster meant every brushstroke sank in immediately, not allowing the artist to manipulate the colour pigment.

Michelangelo used life size sketches to assist in transferring his designs onto the plaster. This method was time consuming and gradually he began to draw directly onto the plaster. As his confidence grew he also did away with the use of grids.

When applying colour to large areas he used a wash technique and added detail afterwards. To create the effect of beards he used a thick comb. As his style became broader and quicker he was able to complete the scene of ‘God in the act of creation’ in one day.

The ceiling was restored in 1981 to 1994 after centuries of dusk and soot damage. To add to it’s mystique the ceiling is apparently unfinished. Apparently Michelangelo was reluctant to add the colour gold leaf and vivid blue as he thought it would detract from his pastel style.

LINKS:

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sistine_Chapel_ceiling