A little over five centuries ago Michelangelo was commissioned to paint the ceiling of Sistine Chapel. Back then, this fresco once completed, was one of the biggest recognised artworks, and it remains so even to this date! As part of the High Renaissance, Michelangelo painted one of the most intricate of his works. The entire work measuring more than 40 meters long was accomplished in a record time of two years from conception to completion.
The task taken by Michelangelo clearly wasn't an easy one. He even designed his own scaffolding. When one little part of the painting was completed, simply moving the scaffolding itself was a laborious task. It is documented that Michelangelo did the painting standing, looking upward and not lying on his back. Every now and then, he would have to climb down the scaffolding and the climb -up again to almost seven stories high, each time just to get a glimpse of the overall scheme.
He even designed his own scaffolding. When one little part of the painting was completed, simply moving the scaffolding itself was a laborious task.
Michelangelo, in fact, writes an entire poem to his friend explaining the physical discomfort he had to go through to complete this artwork. He did the entire work in extreme conditions. And yet, he worked with a great sense of detail. For instance, the distance between the two index fingers in "the Creation of Adam" is merely three-quarters of an inch, and this was to be seen from a distance equalled to that of a seven-storey building! This whole effort was put to depict the unattainability of a divine perfection by humankind.
In this great deal of physical discomfort though, Michelangelo found a great emotional comfort that allowed him to deliver this masterpiece. His emotional comfort allowed him to find his purpose, and a timeless work became possible.
In this great deal of physical discomfort though, Michelangelo found a great emotional comfort that allowed him to deliver this masterpiece.
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