Gallery of Sistine Chapel ceiling on the Flight into Egypt. The "Ignudi" which surround the narrative scenes may show the perfection of Humanity, or may represent angels. They were often imitated by other artists. The shields represent violent episodes in the history of Israel. Gallery of Sistine Chapel ceiling The Sistine Chapel ceiling, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512, is one of the most renowned artworks of the High Renaissance. Central to the ceiling decoration are nine scenes from the Book of Genesis of which "The Creation of Adam" is the best known, the hands of God and Adam being reproduced in countless imitations.
Sistine Chapel exterior can be seen only from nearby windows and light-wells in the palace. Subsidence and cracking of masonry such as must also have affected the Cappella Maggiore has necessitated the building of very large buttresses to brace the exterior walls. The accretion of other buildings has further altered the exterior appearance of the Chapel. The building is divided into three stories of which the lowest is a very tall basement level with several utilitarian windows and a doorway giving onto the exterior court. Internally, the basement is robustly vaulted to support the chapel. Above is the main space, the Sistine