Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/272

260 and denoting that at that time, and under his government, there flourished the age of gold; seeing that Italy was not then in the condition of trouble and misery, which she has since endured. Between them the figures bear medallions in relief, to imitate bronze and gold, the subjects being stories taken from the Book of Kings.

In addition to all this, and furthermore to display the perfection of his art as well as the greatness of God, Michelagnolo likewise depicted a story exhibiting the division of the Light from the Darkness. The majesty of the Supreme Creator is displayed in the awful dignity of his attitude; Self-sustained, He stands with extended arms, and a countenance at once expressive of power and love. The second picture, evincing admirable judgment and ability, portrays the Almighty when He creates the Sun and Moon. His figure is here supported by numerous Angels in the form of Children, and there is infinite power of art displayed in the foreshortening of the arms and legs. Next follows the Benediction of the earth, and the Creation of the animal races. Here the Creator is represented as a foreshortened figure on the ceiling, and this form appears to turn with you into whatever part of the Chapel you may proceed. The same figure recurs in the story of the division of the Water from the Earth. Both are exceedingly beautiful, nay, they are such, and of invention so perfect, that no hand but that of the most divine Michelagnolo could have been worthy to produce them.

Then next comes the Creation of Adam. God the Father being here borne by a group of Angels, represented by little boys of very tender age entirely nude; yet these appear to sustain the weight, not of one %ure only, but of the whole world; so imposing is the majesty of that most venerable form, and such is the efiect produced by the peculiar manner of the movement imparted thereto; one arm is thrown around certain of the children„as if he were supporting himself thereby, and the other is extended towards Adam, a figure of extraordinary beauty, whether as regards the outline or details, and of such character that one might believe it to have been just newly created by the great Father of all, rather than the mere production of the mind and pencil even of such a man as Michelagnolo. The Story beneath this is the Creation of our mother Eve; and herein are the