Lena Rivera
The Last Judgement, a fresco by Michelangelo, depicts the second coming of Christ and the final judgement of humanity by God. The painting shows Christ in the centre, surrounded by saints, deciding the destiny of the human race. The dead rise and descend to their fates, with some saved and rising to heaven, while others are damned and sent to hell. The painting is known for its controversial depiction of nudity and its departure from traditional representations of the Last Judgement. The souls being judged are shown in various states, with some appearing as skeletons and others with their flesh intact. The damned may be depicted naked, while angels and those in heaven are fully dressed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of figures | Over 300 |
| Position of Christ | Centre |
| Christ's depiction | Beardless, Apollonian |
| Saints | Holding instruments of their martyrdom |
| Fate | Decided by Christ |
| Positioning | Saved on the left, damned on the right |
| Direction | Saved ascend to Heaven, damned descend to Hell |
| Nudity | Most males and angels originally shown as nudes |
| Clothing | A clue to the identity of groups and individuals |
| Colours | Bright |
| Judgement | By God of all humanity |
| Inspiration | Dante's Divine Comedy |
| Location | Sistine Chapel, Vatican City |
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What You'll Learn
The dead rising from their graves
In Michelangelo's famous fresco, 'The Last Judgement', the dead crawl out of their graves from the bottom left of the painting, with some well-preserved and others mere skeletons. This reflects the traditional notion that at the Second Coming, the dead will rise in whatever state their bodies happen to be in—decomposed, fragmented, turned to dust, or scattered—to be reassembled and judged. As the resurrected souls rise, some are aided by angels who pull them upwards towards Heaven, while others pass to the right and descend towards Hell.
Michelangelo's depiction of the Last Judgement is notable for its radical departure from traditional representations. Typically, such compositions feature a harmonious heavenly realm at the top, contrasting with the chaotic earthly realm below. However, Michelangelo's version captures a sense of agitation and excitement across the entire scene. This reflects the emerging mood of the Counter-Reformation and the increase in the area of the wall available for the painting.
Another distinctive aspect of Michelangelo's work is the inclusion of figures from Greek mythology, such as Charon and Minos, sharing space with Jesus, Mary, saints, and angels. This mixing of pagan and Christian imagery was controversial when the painting was first unveiled, with critics taking issue with the prominent nudity and Michelangelo's artistic interpretation of the scriptural description of the event.
Overall, 'The Last Judgement' by Michelangelo offers a powerful and original vision of the dead rising from their graves, capturing the tension and commotion of this apocalyptic event.
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Separation of the saved and the damned
The Last Judgment is a common theme in art, particularly frescoes, sculptures, and paintings. The concept is rooted in Christianity, and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, where God will pass final judgment on all people who have ever lived, separating them into the saved and the damned.
In early Christian art, pictures of the Last Judgment often include Christ as a judge, weighing the deeds of souls and sorting them between the saved and the damned. Typically, Christ is depicted at the top of the composition, surrounded by angels and saints, while the dead are judged below. There is often a clear contrast between the ordered ranks of figures at the top and the chaotic activity of those being judged below, with those on the path to Hell often shown in a state of frenzied activity.
The saved are typically shown on the left, ascending towards Heaven, while the damned are shown on the right, being pulled downwards towards Hell. The damned may be depicted naked, as a mark of humiliation, while angels and those in Heaven are fully dressed. This distinction is seen in Michelangelo's famous Last Judgment fresco in the Sistine Chapel, where he depicts nearly all males and angels as nudes, causing some controversy at the time.
The separation of the saved and the damned is also seen in John Martin's triptych of oil paintings, The Last Judgment, The Plains of Heaven, and The Great Day of His Wrath. In Martin's work, the saved are assembled on Mount Zion at God's right hand (viewer's left), while the damned are on the right. The central panel of Hieronymus Bosch's triptych also depicts the Last Judgment, with the saved on the left and the damned on the right, accompanied by brightly coloured demonic creatures.
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Christ as judge
The depiction of Christ as Judge is a common theme in Western art, particularly during the Renaissance. This theme is often explored through judgement paintings, which imagine the second coming of Christ and the final judgement of humanity.
In Michelangelo's "The Last Judgement", located in the Sistine Chapel, Christ is depicted as the central figure, surrounded by prominent saints. The painting shows Christ deciding the destiny of humanity, with his arms gesturing towards heaven for some and hell for others. The inclusion of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who appears fearful of the scene, further emphasizes the authority and power of Christ as Judge.
Michelangelo's interpretation of Christ as Judge is notable for its imaginative and original approach. While it reflects traditional Western depictions, such as the large number of figures and the positioning of Christ at the top, it also introduces new elements. The arrangement of figures, for example, conveys a sense of agitation and excitement, even among the heavenly figures, suggesting a "profound disturbance, tension and commotion". This interpretation of Christ as Judge, with its expressive figures and dynamic composition, captures the anxiety and emotion present during the final judgement.
Another notable aspect of Michelangelo's depiction is the inclusion of pagan mythological figures, such as Charon and Minos, which caused controversy when the painting was first unveiled. Additionally, Michelangelo's beardless Christ, inspired by earlier images of pagan gods like Hercules and Apollo, was seen as a departure from traditional Christian art.
Other artists have also explored the theme of Christ as Judge in their judgement paintings. For example, Luca Signorelli's "The Last Judgment" in the Saint Brizio Chapel of Orvieto Cathedral depicts fearful nude bodies awaiting judgement, with the damned on the left and the blessed on the right. Similarly, Bosch's "Last Judgment" triptych in the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna includes magical creatures and dream-like imagery, with the fall of man on the left panel and hell on the right, populated by brightly coloured demonic creatures.
Overall, the depiction of Christ as Judge in judgement paintings serves as a powerful reminder of the final judgement of humanity, combining religious themes with artistic expression to create iconic and memorable works of art.
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Nudity and humiliation
The inclusion of nudes in Michelangelo's work was controversial, with critics arguing that it was insensitive to proper decorum and more suitable for "public baths and taverns" than a papal chapel. Despite this, Michelangelo's depiction of fearful nude bodies awaiting judgment inspired other artists, such as Luca Signorelli, whose "Last Judgment" in the Saint Brizio Chapel of Orvieto Cathedral also features nude figures awaiting their fate.
In early Christian art, pictures of the Last Judgment often included Christ as a judge, weighing the deeds of souls and sorting them between the saved and the damned. Over time, the depiction of Christ in these scenes evolved from an authoritarian figure surrounded by the beasts of the apocalypse to a more benevolent redeemer surrounded by the tools of his Passion. By the time of Michelangelo's "Last Judgment", the focus had shifted back to a stern depiction of Christ as he judged the souls of the dead.
The treatment of nudity and humiliation in Michelangelo's "Last Judgment" reflects a departure from traditional depictions of the Last Judgment. While most traditional versions featured a large figure of Christ in majesty, Michelangelo's composition took a fresh and original approach, incorporating elements from both Christian and pagan mythology. This blending of subject matter was objected to by some, who felt it conflicted with scriptural references and proper decorum.
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Heaven and Hell
In Michelangelo's famous "The Last Judgement", the damned are shown being carried off by devils and ferried to Hell by Charon, the mythical boatman from Greek and Roman mythology. The damned may be depicted naked, to emphasise their humiliation. In contrast, angels and those in Heaven are fully clothed. The saved are shown ascending towards Heaven, often on the left side of the painting, while the damned descend towards Hell, usually on the right.
The inclusion of Heaven and Hell in these paintings serves as a visual representation of the consequences of divine judgement. The blessed are rewarded with eternal paradise, often depicted as a realm of light and beauty, while the damned are punished with eternal torment in Hell, often portrayed as a realm of fire, darkness, and demonic creatures.
The specific details of Heaven and Hell can vary across different artistic interpretations. For example, in Luca Signorelli's "Last Judgement", the devils in Hell are depicted in green and purple, accentuating the sense of fear and horror. In Hieronymus Bosch's work, Hell is populated by brightly coloured demonic creatures, a signature feature of his style.
The depiction of Heaven and Hell in Last Judgement paintings reflects the artists' imaginative interpretations of these realms, shaped by religious texts, mythology, and cultural beliefs of the time. These paintings serve as a reminder of divine justice and the ultimate fate awaiting humanity after death.
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Frequently asked questions
Judgement paintings typically feature Christ as the central figure, deciding the fate of humanity. Above him are angels and saints, while below are the souls being judged. The saved are usually shown on the left, ascending to heaven, while the damned are shown on the right, descending to hell.
The souls in judgement paintings are often depicted as resurrected from their graves, rising towards judgement. Some are shown naked, as a mark of humiliation, while others are fully clothed, with clothing being a clue to their identity. The damned may be depicted as fearful, while the blessed are welcomed to paradise.
Michelangelo's "The Last Judgment" depicts a mix of resurrected souls, some appearing as skeletons while most have their flesh intact. It also shows nearly all males and angels as nudes, which was controversial and seen as insensitive to proper decorum.
"The Last Judgment" by Michelangelo is a well-known fresco located in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. It features over 300 figures and is inspired by Dante's "Divine Comedy". The painting caused controversy for its mixing of pagan mythology with Christian subject matter and its departure from scriptural references.
