In 1512, after four years of arduous work painting while lying on his back on scaffolding, Michelangelo Buonarroti completed the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. The fresco covers over 500 square metres and depicts nine scenes from the Book of Genesis, including the iconic Creation of Adam — God's outstretched finger nearly touching Adam's. The work represents the pinnacle of High Renaissance art, combining anatomical mastery, dramatic composition, and profound theological vision. Michelangelo, who considered himself primarily a sculptor, transformed the chapel into one of the most visited art sites in the world, drawing millions of visitors annually.
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