"the creation of adam"

            The frescoes Michelangelo painted upon the barrel-vaulted ceiling 68 feet above the floor of the Sistine Chapel between may of 1508 and October 1512 are .
             among the most important artistic creations in the history of the world. Near the center of this virtuoso display of more than 380 figures spread over .
             almost 13,000 square feet is the masterpiece titled "The Creation Of Adam". An anylysis of the historical backround of this fresco along with an .
             evaluation of the subject matter, lines, and color will show why this painting is among the most important within this incredible arrangement, and why .
             it has touched and inspired so many in the last 500 years. .
             The chapel was built built in the heart of the Vatican palaces for Pope Sixtus IV between 1477 and 1481, to the same dimensions given in the Bible for .
             Solomon's Temple. The walls were decorated with frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Christ and Moses painted by Perugino, Botticelli, Ghirlandajo .
             and others. The ceiling was painted as to display a deep blue sky showing stars and patterns of the zodiac. Several years after the chapel's completion, .
             drainage and structural problems caused large cracks to appearin the ceiling. These problems were addressed quickly and further damage was minimized, .
             but Pope Julius II felt the ceiling needed a new aplication. Known as "Il Papa Terrible" for his violent outbursts and cruel demeanor, some have said .
             this project was comissioned soley to confer even greater status upon himself and the church. He had recently hired Michelangelo to design and construct .
             his immense and elaborate tomb. But shortly after Michelangelo began, the Pope persuaded him to postpone that project and fresco the ceiling for the sum .
             of 3,000 ducats, a "princely" sum. Because Michelangelo thought of himself primarily as a sculptor, at first he did not want the comission. But as the .
             work proceeded, his intense drive took over and the project became an obsession.