10 Masterpieces You Can't Miss in the Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo spent four years painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling on his back. Once inside, it's easy to feel overwhelmed — so here are the details worth seeking out first.
The Creation of Adam
The most famous fresco of them all: God reaching toward Adam, their fingers almost touching. Look closely at the shape framing God — many art historians believe it's a cross-section of the human brain, a nod to divine intelligence.
The Last Judgment
Covering the entire altar wall, this swirling vision of souls rising and falling took Michelangelo another six years to complete. Give your eyes time to adjust and follow the circular motion of the figures.
The Prophets and Sibyls
Around the edges of the ceiling sit monumental seated figures. The Libyan Sibyl and the prophet Jeremiah are especially expressive — study the way their bodies twist and their robes fall.
Remember: photography is not permitted and silence is requested. Take a mental snapshot instead, and let the room work its quiet magic.
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