Sistine Chapel Ceiling: Cumaean Sibyl 1510

This fresco, painted by Michelangelo in 1510, depicts the Cumaean Sibyl, one of the ten prophetesses in the Sistine Chapel ceiling. The Sibyl is shown seated on a stone ledge, holding an open book and gazing downwards, seemingly lost in thought. Her aged, yet powerful form and the dramatic pose of her body are characteristic of Michelangelo’s style, which emphasizes muscularity and emotional intensity. The inscription "CVMAEA" identifies the Sibyl as a prophetess from the city of Cumae in ancient Italy. This fresco is considered one of the most iconic representations of the Sibyl in art history. It showcases Michelangelo's mastery of figure drawing, and his ability to convey a sense of both grandeur and vulnerability.