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1st November 1512: Michelangelo's ceiling of the Sistine Chapel unveiled

4,699 views · Published 1 November 2018 · 2:45 · Indexed 19 October 2026

Channel: HistoryPod · 2018 · Education

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Construction of the Sistine Chapel was completed in 1481 during the reign of Pope Sixtus IV. He commissioned a number of the Renaissance’s leading artists to decorate the walls, while the ceiling was covered with gilt stars on a blue sky.

In 1508 Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II to repaint the ceiling with the twelve Apostles. Michelangelo saw himself more as a sculptor than a painter, but he later accepted the job after negotiating with the Pope to portray his own choice of Biblical scenes that went on to feature over 300 characters.

Michelangelo laboured for four years to complete the work, supported by scaffolding that was held by brackets above the windows. His working position was so uncomfortable that he wrote a sonnet about it, and later complained that the task had aged him so much his friends barely recognised him.

After numerous arguments with the Pope over how long the work was taking due to his desire to realise his creative vision, Michelangelo finished the ceiling after he was threatened with being thrown from the scaffolding if he didn’t hurry up.

Julius celebrated All Saints Day mass in the Sistine Chapel on 1 November 1512 at which a small number of distinguished laity were present. They were to first to see the finished ceiling and marvelled at the breath-taking frescoes that famed art historian Helen Gardner regarded as one of the most important pieces of art ever created. Following restoration of the chapel’s frescoes that was completed in 1994, the Sistine Chapel is now visited by up to 20,000 people a day determined to marvel at Michelangelo’s achievement.

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