The Prophet Isaiah by Michelangelo: Sistine Chapel Ceiling

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A prophet on the Sistine ceiling

Around the central scenes of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Michelangelo painted twelve giant seated figures: seven Old Testament prophets and five sibyls of the ancient world. Isaiah, who foretold the coming of the Messiah, is one of them. Michelangelo painted the ceiling between 1508 and 1512.

A prophet interrupted

Isaiah’s face turned sharply — A prophet interrupted.

Isaiah turns his head sharply, as if he has just been called. His young face is lined with thought, his curly hair framing a serious expression.

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A closed book

He keeps a finger in his closed book, as if reading had just been interrupted. The gesture suggests a moment of inspiration arriving.

Two small attendants

Curly-haired child behind the prophet — A small attendant.

Behind him, a curly-haired child points or whispers, one of the small figures that accompany each prophet. Some see them as messengers of divine inspiration.

Plaque reading ESAIAS — His name: ESAIAS.

Below, a painted plaque names the prophet in Latin: ESAIAS.

Questions about The Prophet Isaiah

Where is it?

On the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City.

When was it painted?

Between 1508 and 1512.

Who was Isaiah?

An Old Testament prophet who foretold the coming of the Messiah.

What is the technique?

Fresco, painted on wet plaster.

Sources and image credit

Public-domain reproduction of The Prophet Isaiah, via Wikimedia Commons. Detail images are crops of the same image; no reconstruction or upscaling.