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Sistine Chapel Essay

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The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in a way follows a similar pattern. When the ceiling is divided it is done so in a series of squares, triangles and circles. There are three zones to the ceiling division. The lower zone where very little light is received is defined by De Tolnay as "peopled by a race enduring variations of the human condition". According to Fleming, the middle zone is a mix of Old Testament prophets and some pagan symbols that "have knowledge of the Divine and mediate between man and God". The contrast of the pagan symbols and biblical prophets suggests a idea which is not completely Christian. The use of prophets and pagan examples side by side kind of suggests that Michelangelo was looking at the qualities they shared as

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