The Creation of Adam, painted by Michelangelo Buonarotti (1475-1564), is easily one of the most famous religious paintings of all time. It depicts a weak and virtually lifeless Adam just moments before a mighty and powerful God grants him life. God reaches out to Adam and the two’s fingers nearly meet. It is shown seconds before Adam is given life, yet there is almost a feeling of electricity that one can sense in the fresco. The viewer is aware of what will occur just moments after. The artist's brilliant use of color and detail make the painting what it is today.
It is interesting to note the contrast in the two’s hands as God’s hand on the right is full of life and authority as he stretches out to a limp and weak Adam on the left. Adam relies on his knee to hold up his arm as he is barely able to reach his hand out to God. This signifies that life comes from God; all power, strength and authority are of Him.
This fresco, completed in 1512, is the fourth panel of the famous Sistine Chapel. The ceiling as a whole displays nine scenes from the book of Genesis from The Separation of Light from Darkness to The Drunkenness of Noah. Although Michelangelo considered himself to be nothing more than a sculptor, Pope Julius II was adamant that Michelangelo was the only man for the job. After some persuading, Michelangelo designed a scaffolding system, and painted the entire ceiling himself. Contrary to what most believe, he actually painted the ceiling standing on the scaffolding, not lying down. As mentioned earlier, he used the painting technique called fresco. This is the method of applying paint to freshly laid plaster. It takes tremendous skill, as it requires one to work very quickly. In essence… Michelangelo is the man.
Sources:
http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/x-Schede/CSNs/CSNs_V_StCentr_06.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Creation_of_Adam