Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) was an Italian High Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect, and poet, known for masterpieces like the statue of David and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Born near Florence, his father was a magistrate, and he trained under painter Domenico Ghirlandaio before being supported by the powerful Medici family. His prolific career spanned over 70 years, leaving a profound and lasting influence on Western art.

Michelangelo initially refused to paint the Sistine Chapel since he believed his talent was as a sculptor and not painter. However, the Pope insisted and he eventually accepted the project.

Michelangelo soon began his work, starting at the west end with the Drunkenness of Noah and the Prophet Zechariah and working backwards through the narrative to the Creation of Eve, in the vault's fifth bay, finished in September 1510. The first half of the ceiling was unveiled with a preliminary showing on 14 August 1511 and an official viewing the next day.

A long hiatus in painting occurred as new scaffolding was made ready. The second half of the ceiling's frescoes were done swiftly, and the finished work was revealed on 31 October 1512, All Hallows' Eve, being shown to the public by the next day, All Saints' Day. Michelangelo's final scheme for the ceiling includes over 300 figures.

Vasari states that "When the chapel was uncovered, people from everywhere [rushed] to see it, and the sight of it alone was sufficient to leave them amazed and speechless."

At the age of 37, Michelangelo's reputation rose such that he was called il divino, and he was henceforth regarded as the greatest artist of his time, who had elevated the status of the arts themselves, a recognition that lasted the rest of his long life.

The ceiling was immediately considered one of the greatest masterpieces of all time, a distinction which continues to endure.