CREATION OF ADAM AND ITS MEANING

Attach the picture /image of Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam.

FACTUAL MEANING

The Sistine Chapel ceiling at the Vatican exhibits this masterpiece. It serves as a part of the Vatican
Museums as well. This mural is a component of a sophisticated religious imagery. It is the fourth
in a line of artworks that depict scenes from the books of Genesis. One of the most imitated
religious paintings of all time, the painting has been reproduced in countless imitations and
parodies. Additionally, one of the most significant moments in the creation account are depicted
in the artwork The Creation of Adam. It exemplifies how God created Adam, as recorded in the
Book of Genesis, and how He gave him life. Michelangelo accomplishes this by depicting God
and Adam's hands as being nearly touching. Over 500 square meters of the ceiling are covered by
The Creation of Adam. More than 300 figures are included. According to art historians, Eve may
also be represented in this picture. It's thought that the woman by God's left hand is Eve. The lone
female figure in the painting is that one. Furthermore, Adam is shown to have an additional rib.
This is also thought to symbolize Eve.
 CONVENTIONAL MEANING

Michelangelo was one of the greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance, and his legacy lives on
today. His greatest masterpiece was probably the interior of the Sistine Chapel, which he adorned
with a stunning array of Biblical frescoes, an astonishing feat of artistic endeavor that took him
over six years to complete, from 1508-1512. One of the most talked about frescoes within the
Sistine Chapel is Michelangelo’s ‘Creation of Adam’, illustrating God reaching out and touching
the finger of Adam to give him the gift of life. It is a complex scene with many layers of symbolism,
prompting many to ask what the deeper meaning is behind this breath-taking work of art.

SUBJECTIVE MEANING

In terms of Subjective meaning, I interpret it as God is indeed superior above all things. He is in
the floating in the air while man is leaning down on the earth. Even we, the human beings are the
highest form of creature, God is superior. But God gave man the authority for all the earthy things.
Also l see it as literally in a term of “so near yet so far” because even the man is so near to God, to
the point that they mostly reach reach each other’s hand, the fact that we as humans are naturally
born sinners. It made as far from the likeness of God as a Holy one.

Submitted by: Karl Louise C. Gonzales

Stephen Cuizon
Celix Duran