God’s Bum at the Sistine Chapel

I used to think the painting series on the ceiling of the Sistine was the apex of piety. There’s God in all his thundrous’ glory pointing that omnipotent finger to create Adam on the Seventh Day. 

 But let’s go back a few days. Earlier on an energetic God raised his arms on high and with much flexing of muscle rent the light from the darkness.

 

 

Yet in the very next frame, usually entiltled “Creation of the Moon, Stars and Planets” God starts off with his back to us, boldly exhibiting a muscular arse. Was Michelangelo having a little pun with the public, or seeing if the Pope would notice, or just showing the fearless essence of art ?  I don’t know: I can’t think in 16th century.

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