Art historians have long been puzzled by certain subpar anatomical irregularities in Michelangelo’s work, e.g., the panel depicting The Separation of Light from Darkness shows a goiterous formation in God’s neck. Twenty years ago, it was suggested that the region belonging to God Creating Adam, in a central panel of the ceiling, was actually the human brain in cross section. Now, a paper in the May issue of Neurosurgery, identifies the "irregularity" in the Separation panel as an anatomically accurate depiction of the human brain, viz., spinal cord, brain stem, eyes and optic nerves.
Friday, May 28, 2010
God's Goiter is Michelangelo's Brain
Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo
were distinguished by their detailed understanding of anatomy; knowledge declared heretical by the Roman Catholic Church and therefore something that necessarily had to be acquired as a clandestine activity. Michelangelo even destroyed most of his anatomical sketches and notes. But not entirely. It seems that he hid some of them in plain sight of the Pope—on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Looking up and under at God's goiterous throat
Art historians have long been puzzled by certain subpar anatomical irregularities in Michelangelo’s work, e.g., the panel depicting The Separation of Light from Darkness shows a goiterous formation in God’s neck. Twenty years ago, it was suggested that the region belonging to God Creating Adam, in a central panel of the ceiling, was actually the human brain in cross section. Now, a paper in the May issue of Neurosurgery, identifies the "irregularity" in the Separation panel as an anatomically accurate depiction of the human brain, viz., spinal cord, brain stem, eyes and optic nerves.
Art historians have long been puzzled by certain subpar anatomical irregularities in Michelangelo’s work, e.g., the panel depicting The Separation of Light from Darkness shows a goiterous formation in God’s neck. Twenty years ago, it was suggested that the region belonging to God Creating Adam, in a central panel of the ceiling, was actually the human brain in cross section. Now, a paper in the May issue of Neurosurgery, identifies the "irregularity" in the Separation panel as an anatomically accurate depiction of the human brain, viz., spinal cord, brain stem, eyes and optic nerves.
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WOW!! HOW INTERESTING. HE WAS DEFINITELY AHEAD OF HIS TIME. AND VERY SMART TO HIDE IT.
ReplyDeletenever would've noticed it..:)
ReplyDeletenice outline of the brain stem...is it really there or are we just seeing the outline
ReplyDeleteThis is the most ingenious and glamorous artwork in the history of mankind because the meaning behind this peace brings together God and his creation of man. Absolutely amazing and breathtaking. It’s a comfort to know that the most talented can also poses a religious ideology!! I love this artwork!
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you. I think that is way cool.
ReplyDeleteWe just visited the Sisten Chapel in early June 2010; and you cannot take photos in that room so I find it absolutely amazing someone was given the ability to reach the high ceiling to see the brain outline, when there are thousands of people going in and out of that room. Most are stunned and awe struck and frozen in their steps. It is jammed packed with people from the time the Vatican museum opens until it closes and that room is not well lit; so this discovery leaves me a bit skeptical when the whole ceiling overwhelms you with art work. As it is said,“beauty is in the eye of the beholder” could we be beholding what we want to see?
ReplyDeleteI know that Leonard and Michaelangelo were way ahead of their time. I would love to be able to see their art clean and not distorted by the Internet and bad photography, but I'm sure it is next to impossible to get something that clear. I'm amazed that some people are able to see what most people don't. I have added the Sistine Chapel to my "bucket list".
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful are your works, oh Lord!
ReplyDeleteThose of us that know there is a GOD, in our deepest of our Souls know that it is what it is!! Just listen to your heart and you know the truths of the picture.Don't let the world lead you astray see beauty for what it is.
ReplyDeletethat is a good thing that someone of that time had a idea of whats on the inside their are still human organs that we do not know what they do or how they work. so let us rejoice in God
ReplyDelete