Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Secret: Divine Detail Unveiled After centuries

More than five centuries after Michelangelo Buonarroti’s birth in Caprese, Italy, a previously unnoticed detail within the Sistine Chapel is creating a buzz. The chapel, a major Renaissance landmark in vatican city, was inaugurated by Pope Julius II on October 31, 1512, and attracts millions of visitors each year. Art historian Timothy Verdon, an American priest and director of the Museum of the Opera del Duomo in Florence, has drawn attention to what appears to be a depiction of God’s buttocks in one of Michelangelo’s famous frescoes.

The sistine Chapel, a cornerstone of Renaissance art, continues to offer surprises even after centuries of intense scrutiny. The sheer number of visitors, combined with limited space and the overwhelming emotional impact of the artwork, often prevents a detailed examination of every element. However, Verdon’s observation provides new insight into Michelangelo’s artistic choices and his interpretation of religious themes.

A Daring Depiction

Timothy Verdon made the observation during an interview focusing on the history of “Callipige” sculptures (those with beautiful buttocks) across 20,000 years of art. The research was conceived by archaeologist Clara Gambaro along with a writer. Verdon, known for his extensive work on sacred art, noted that Michelangelo uniquely dared to depict the “butt of God the Father.”

The specific scene in question is “God Creating the Sun and the Moon.” Verdon explains that within this grand rectangle of the vault, Michelangelo presents two distinct visions of God the Father.

“There is one thing that draws attention and that nobody has ever commented – said the American prelate -, namely that Michelangelo, and only Michelangelo, shows us the butt of God the father.”

Timothy verdon, Art Historian

The first vision portrays god creating the celestial bodies. The second, seemingly from a different viewpoint, reveals God from the back, highlighting his buttocks. Verdon emphasizes the audacity of this choice, calling it a “only” in art history, akin to the muscular arms of the Madonna in the Tondo Doni.

Theological interpretation

Verdon suggests that Michelangelo’s decision was not merely artistic license but rooted in theological understanding. He points to the Old Testament, specifically the Book of Exodus, where it is written that man cannot see God’s face.

The story of Moses asking to see God’s face, only to be told it was unachievable but that he could see his shoulders, is particularly relevant.Verdon argues that Michelangelo took this concept further.

“It is indeed a case by michelangelo theologian as in the Antique testament, in the book of the exodus it is written that man cannot see and thus describe the face of God, so it is like when Moses in relationship of intimacy with God, asked him to see his face; He replied that it was not possible, but that he could show him his shoulders. True, Michelangelo showed his shoulders, but he also went down to the interpretation and shows him vrey well. Indeed, we can add that it has not satisfied the sit of the omnipotent but he also showed us the plants of the feet.”

Timothy Verdon, Art Historian

Michelangelo depicted god twice in close proximity, once from the front and once from behind. The flowing robes, billowing in what appears to be a divine wind, convey a sense of immense power. While the frontal view focuses on god’s face, the rear view allows Michelangelo’s imagination to run wild, revealing the contours of the buttocks beneath the clothing.

Provocation and Knowledge

Verdon believes that Michelangelo’s deep understanding of the Holy Scriptures allowed him to take such liberties, even if they bordered on provocation. This knowledge would have shielded him from accusations of blasphemy.The detail, though present, remains subtle, frequently enough overlooked by visitors.

In the past, certain anatomical depictions in Michelangelo’s works have faced criticism, but this particular detail has largely escaped notice due to its placement and subtlety.

The discovery of this detail offers a fresh outlook on Michelangelo’s genius and his complex relationship with religious themes. It invites viewers to look more closely at the Sistine Chapel and appreciate the depth and nuance of his artistic vision.

A new Perspective for Visitors

For those planning a visit to the Sistine Chapel, this newfound awareness offers an chance to engage with Michelangelo’s masterpiece on a deeper level. The “behind” of God, once hidden in plain sight, now stands as a testament to the artist’s daring and theological insight.