MY THOUGHTS:

After all, we are only human...

I find that often time we have to be coerced or even forced to achieve the great things we are meant to achieve.

In 1508, Michelangelo started one of the greatest works of art in human history: the chapel that was named for Pope Sixtus IV, the Sistine Chapel. A true icon of the Catholic faith, it has since acted as the cradle of all important papal rituals, including the laying-in-state of the holy mortal remains of the Vicars of the Son of God.

Surprisingly, the great sculptor refused when Pope Julius II said, “Michelangelo, I give you the godly honour of being the one chosen to paint the ceiling of the Chapel.”

“But Holiness, surely you can find someone more fitting for this greatest of honours. I am no painter, Holiness, but a humble sculptor. If I paint the result is often ‘A POOR THING’.”

So the Pope insists and Michelangelo refuses- again and again- until His Serene Holiness gets quite vexed and says, “Michelangelo, paint the bleeding ceiling or I’ll have you executed for blasphemy!”

Blimey, Michelangelo thinks, never thought His Holiness could get this crossed. I’d have to paint the frigging ceiling to keep my head, then.

He did.

Creation of Adam and Eve, Last Judgement, The Nine Scenes from Genesis. Great works of art that had to be forced out of him.

‘Tis human nature, after all.