The Last Judgement.
Images of a Masterpiece.

The Last Judgement by Michelangelo covers the wall behind the alter in the Sistine Chapel. The work depicts the second coming of Christ and, although the artist is clearly inspired by the Bible, it is his own imaginative vision that prevails in this painting.

The picture radiates out from the centre figure of Christ, and Michelangelo has chosen to depict the various saints included in the work holding the instruments of their martyrdom rather than the actual scenes of torture.

When executing his "Last Judgement" it would seem that Michelangelo had been given artistic licence to paint scenes, not only from the Bible, but also from mythology. This shows great faith in the artist by his patron, Pope Paul III.

Unfortunately it was decided that works of art in sacred places had to be modest and a pupil of Michelangelo, Daniele da Volterra, was commissioned to cover the figures nakedness with loincloths and veils. Originally all the figures were naked but da Volterra's intervention earned him the nickname of the maker of breeches.

Other over painting was added in the next two centuries and for the same reason.

With the restoration of the chapel in the 1980's and 1990's only Daniele da Volterra's additions have been saved as part of the history of the painting, all other additions have now been removed.

The fresco angles out at the top of the painting preventing dust from settling on it and also improving the perspective of the work. At the top of the painting the cross, the crown of thorns, and other symbols of the passion of Christ can be seen.

The centre figure is Christ deciding the destiny of the human race. With a gesture of his arms he damns a large part of humanity plunging them into hell but some are saved rising to heaven. Even the Madonna at his side seems to cower in fear at the scene.

"The Last Judgement" (s)

Christ the Judge (detail) (s)

Angels and Saints

Angels trumpets and the Archangel Michael (s)

The dead are awakened by angels trumpets and the Archangel Michael reads from the book of souls to be saved. The larger book on the right contains a list of the damned destined for hell.

St Bartholomew holds his own skin. (s)

Just below the figure of Christ, are St Lawrence holding a ladder (this symbolises the saint's martyrdom on a grate over hot coals). St Bartholomew holds a sheet of his own skin, the face on the skin is reputed to be a self-portrait of the artist.

St John The Baptist (w)

On the left of the picture are St Andrew holding his cross and St John the Baptist is the powerfully built figure gazing across at Christ.

St Peter (w)

The figure of St Peter on the right holds a silver and a gold key, this is actually a portrait of Pope Paul III.

St Sebastian, St Blaise and St Catherine. (w)

Below Peter are St Blaise and St Catherine.

St Catherine holds the toothed knife of her martyrdom and St Blaise carries the iron combs used for his torture, St Sebastian is beside them with arrows in his hand.

The Damned and the Saved

The boatman Charon (s)

At the bottom of the painting the boatman Charon can be seen ferrying the damned into hell.

Charon is the mythical boatman of Roman and Greek mythology who ferried the damned to hell. He is featured in Dante's Devine Comedy, and also in Virgil's Eneid, both of these works provided inspiration for Michelangelo's interpretation of the Last Judgement.

The resurrection of the dead is shown at the bottom left of the painting.

The resurrection of the dead (s)

Damned Man (w)

Lower down on Christ’s right is the figure of a damned man who covers one eye in fear of his terrible fate.

Baigio da Cesena as Minos (w)

Baigio da Cesena, a papal master of ceremonies, criticised Michelangelo's work saying that nude figures had no place in such a sacred place, and that the paintings would be more at home in a public tavern.

Michelangelo included da Cesena in the Last Judgement as Minos, one of the three judges of the underworld. When Baigio complained to the Pope the pontiff explained that he had no jurisdiction over hell and that the portrait would have to remain.

In Greek mythology, Minos was the king of Crete and was the son of Zeus and Europa. He became one of the three judges of the underworld after his own death and Michelangelo has depicted Minos wrapped in serpents coils. The coils indicate to what circle of hell the damned are destined.

The Saved Rejoice (s)

From The Last Judgement back to The Sistine Chapel
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