Sistine Chapel Ceiling: The Prophet Joel 1509

Michelangelo's "The Prophet Joel" is one of the frescoes that adorn the Sistine Chapel ceiling in the Vatican. Painted in 1509, the work depicts the biblical prophet Joel, seated on a plinth and reading from a scroll. Joel’s face is lined with age and he seems to be lost in deep thought. The dramatic use of light and shadow, characteristic of High Renaissance art, creates a sense of grandeur and power. The figures flanking Joel add to the dramatic composition and contribute to the overall grandeur of the ceiling.