Michelangelo Couldn’t Stop Talking About How Much He Hated Painting The Sistine Chapel
The iconic artist left behind an amazing piece of work that has endured for centuries, but he hated doing it
--
The best of art are works that endure over time and maintain meaning and continue to inspire awe across generations. One of the most significant is the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. Painted by hand by famed Italian artist, Michelangelo, its stunning color and detail has persisted in dazzling those who have viewed it for centuries. The only problem is that its creator absolutely loathed doing it, incessantly talking about his hatred of doing the work, and even wrote a poem about why it was such a negative experience for him.
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni lived from 1475 until 1564. He was an Italian Renaissance polymath, who was equally skilled in sculpting, painting, and architecture. Hailing from a small village in Tuscany, he displayed exceptional ability from an early age, catapulting him into a career as arguably the greatest artist the world has ever seen.
His iconic sculptures, such as “David” and “Pieta,” and his paintings inside the Sistine Chapel, demonstrate his remarkable skill in capturing human anatomy and emotion. His diverse talent extended to architecture, as demonstrated by his designs for St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Michelangelo’s work extended well past art, as he was also an influential poet and philosopher. He was a true Renaissance man.
In spite of all of his accomplishments, the paint job he did for a Pope remains his most enduring. The Sistine Chapel is an iconic masterpiece of Renaissance architecture and art. Built in the late 15th century, it was commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV, and officially consecrated in 1483. It’s best known for its ceiling, adorned with Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoes, which he completed between 1508 and 1512.
The most prominent of the ceiling’s panels depict scenes from Genesis; most famously, the ”Creation of Adam.” Michelangelo’s meticulous work, which showcased his mastery of anatomy, perspective and emotion, revolutionized art and remains globally known.
