Sistine Chapel ceiling

Read this before entering the Sistine Chapel. The centre of the ceiling carries nine scenes from Genesis, the first book of the Bible. Around them, Michelangelo painted architecture, prophets, sibyls and the ancestors of Christ. Sibyls were prophetic figures from the ancient world. Their presence places them alongside the biblical prophets. Pope Julius II commissioned the ceiling in May 1508. The initial scheme of apostles and ornament expanded into the programme you will see. Work on the earlier ceiling had been preceded by serious cracking and structural stabilization. Michelangelo completed the first half in 1510 and the whole ceiling by late October 1512, before a papal Mass on 1 November. When you enter, remember the distinction between the central stories and the seated figures around them. Give your eyes time to move from one scale to the other. The Last Judgement on the altar wall came decades later. Inside the chapel, remain silent and keep your phone put away. Carry these few observations in memory while you look up.