Explore the Nine scenes from the Book of Genesis about the Pictorial scheme of this artwork, Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Along the central section of the ceiling, Michelangelo depicted nine scenes from the Book of Genesis, organized into three groups of three related scenes. The scenes alternate between smaller and larger pictures, with the former framed by two pairs of ignudi flanking a medallion.
The first group depicts God creating the Heavens and the Earth. The second group shows God creating the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, and their disobedience of God and consequent expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The third group shows the plight of humanity and in particular the family of Noah.The pictures within the three groups link to one another, in the same way as was usual in Mediaeval paintings and stained glass. The nine scenes are oriented to be viewed while facing the altar, chronologically unfolding towards the chapel entrance (except for the second and third scenes, and the seventh and eighth, which are each transposed). John T. Paoletti and Gary M. Radke suggest that this reversed progression symbolises a return to a state of grace.
The scenes, from the altar towards the main door, are as follows:The Separation of Light from Darkness
The Creation of the Sun, Moon and Plants
The Separation of Land and Water
The Creation of Adam
The Creation of Eve
The Fall and Expulsion
The Sacrifice of Noah
The Great Flood
The Drunkenness of Noah
The Great Flood stained glass Mediaeval creating the Heavens and the Earth The Creation of Adam Eve ignudi Adam angel Mediaeval paintings Noah altar grace art Garden of Eden God The Sacrifice of Noah Adam and Eve Book of Genesis Great Flood Michelangelo