The Last Judgement 1541

michelangelo

Sistine Chapel, Vatican

architecture

unusual home photography

urban landscape

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building site documentary shot

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sculpture

holy-places

underpainting

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christianity

men

painting painterly

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christ

Michelangelo's "The Last Judgement" (1541) is a monumental fresco covering the entire altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. The fresco depicts the moment of Christ's second coming, separating the righteous from the damned. The composition is complex and dynamic, with hundreds of figures swirling through the sky. Michelangelo's masterful use of light, shadow, and foreshortening creates a sense of awe and drama, reflecting the overwhelming power of God's judgment. This iconic work of art is considered a pinnacle of High Renaissance painting, influencing generations of artists.

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artera 12 months ago

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The Last Judgment is generally regarded as one of Michelangelo Buonarroti's (1475-1564) greatest masterpieces. Inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy, the fresco was commissioned by Pope Paul III, begun in 1535, and finally revealed on October 31, 1541. Its creation required the destruction of Perugino's frescoes, which had previously adorned the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel. This work has become so iconic that it is difficult to remember that in its own time it was controversial. Not least of all the concerns regarding the image was its pervasive nudity, much of which was later covered up by Michelangelo's pupil, Daniele da Volterra, and finally uncovered again by restorers.