The Prophets and Sibyls of the Sistine Chapel.
Michelangelo's stunning frescoes.

Michelangelo's Prophets and Sibyls painted in the Sistine Chapel are commanding works of art. These figures are the largest on the Vault of the Chapel.

Around the centre of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel are twelve prophetic figures all representing the coming of Christ. Seven of these are Israeli Prophets and the remaining five are the female Sibyls of the Classical World. The alternating male and female figures are seated on thrones and are depicted reading manuscripts, books, or scrolls. The pagan Sibyls have been included to symbolise that the Messiah was to come for all the people of the world and not just the Jews.

 They are- Jonah, Jeremiah, Persian Sibyl, Ezekiel, Erythraean Sibyl, Joel, Zechariah, Delphic Sibyl, Isaiah, Cumaean Sibyl, Daniel, Libyan Sibyl.

Prophet Jonah from the Sistine Chapel.The Prophet Jonah. (s)

Here Jonah is seated on a throne with a large fish by his side. This represents the belly of the whale that he is reputed to have spent three days inside. The figure of Jonah is seated above Michelangelo's fresco of the Last Judgement, at the south end of the chapel, directly opposite the prophet Zechariah on the north wall.

(Okay okay it looks more like an excessively big cod from the local fishmongers, but it is just a representation of a whale, I do not suppose that Michelangelo could really paint an animal of that size, to scale, on the Sistine Ceiling)

Prophet Jeremiah from the Sistine Chapel.The Prophet Jeremiah. (s)

The sad figure of the Prophet Jeremiah reflects the fact that many of his predictions were unheeded, his writings are held in the Old Testament. The face of Jeremiah is considered to be a self-portrait of Michelangelo.

Sibyl Persian from the Sistine Chapel.The Persian Sibyl, (s)

The Persian Sibyl sits hunched in her niche, her head and upper body lean forward as she examines her book. She is recognised for foretelling the second coming of Christ.

The Prophet Ezekiel bfrom the Sistine Chapel.The Prophet Ezekiel. (s)
Erythraean Sibyl from the Sistine Chapel.The Erythraean Sibyl. (s)

The Prophet Ezekiel is described as an Israelite exile and a priest who was called to deliver the prophecies of God. Michelangelo has painted him as an older man in profile, Ezekiel’s headscarf blows in the wind emphasising the feeling of movement that Michelangelo has achieved in his painting of the Prophet.

The Erythraean Sibyl reads her book of poetic prophecies, she sits with her legs crossed in a relaxed pose as she studies the open pages. In ancient mythology the Sibyls, from the word sibylla (prophetess) were often depicted with open books.

The Prophet Joel from the Sistine Chapel.The Prophet Joel. (s)

The Prophet Joel, named in the Old Testament, reads from a long scroll as he sits back on his throne.

The Prophet Zechariah from the Sistine Chapel.The Prophet Zechariah, (s)

Zechariah this fatherly image of the prophet reading his book as his two young attendants lean forward to read the book over his shoulder. Zechariah is reputed to be a portrait of Pope Julius II.

The Sibyl Delphic from the Sistine Chapel.The Delphic Sibyl. (s)
The Sibyl Cumaean from the Sistine Chapel.The Cumaean Sibyl. (s)

 Certainly, The Delphic Sibyl is one of the better-known works in this series of prophets. She is the oracle at the navel of the world and is reputed to be descended from the Sea-God Poseidon and sister of Apollo.

The Cumaean Sibyl prophetised that Christ, the son of God, would be born in a stable at Bethlehem. Michelangelo has depicted her as a powerful man-like figure sitting reading a book within her niche.

Personal Opinion: -

Could Michelangelo paint women?

For an artist of his stature, the answer is undoubtedly yes. He just seems to be more interested in the heavy male body than any delicate interpretation of femininity. Just look at the muscular form of the Cumaean Sibyl above, it is intended to be a rendition of an aged old woman, but she looks like an Olympic hammer thrower!

Even the Delphic Sibyl (scroll up) who has at least the features of a female, seems to have very male like arms as if the head of a woman has been transplanted onto a male body. It could be that the way Michelangelo depicts the human form is directly related to his own sexuality, or.... perhaps all Renaissance women were very well fed!

The Prophet Iseiah from the Sistine Chapel.The Prophet Isaiah. (s)
The Prophet Daniel in the Sistine Chapel.The Prophet Daniel. (s)

The Prophet Isaiah was active in the 8th century BC. He believed in divine intervention, warned against war and urged leaders to beware of God’s power to destroy the world.

The Prophet Daniel foretold the coming of Christ, he sits with an open book held in place by an attendant standing beneath the book as a small, shadow-like figure looks over his shoulder.

The Sibyl Libyan from the Sistine Chapel.The Libyan Sibyl. (s)
Study for the Libyan Sibyl.Studies for the Libyan Sibyl (s)

Metropolitan Museum of Art.
New York, Red chalk on paper. 

The Libyan Sibyl is one of the more graceful female forms painted by Michelangelo. From the detailed studies, we can see the care that has been taken to get the balance and posture of this figure exactly right. Look at the work that has been done on the left foot; the separation of the big toe is a testament to the skill of an artist who has focused on anatomical accuracy down to the smallest detail.

The complex twisting motion of the torso animates the Libyan Sibyl as she opens her manuscript of prophecies and glances downwards at the chapel floor, sixty feet below.

You might like these

 Vincent Finnan Site Author.