Whose work is the Sistine Chapel ceiling?

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City was painted by Michelangelo Buonarroti between 1508 and 1512, on the orders of Pope Julius II. Michelangelo saw himself mainly as a sculptor and was reluctant to take on the job, yet he produced one of the greatest achievements in Western art. The ceiling covers more than 500 square metres and contains over 300 figures, including nine scenes from the Book of Genesis such as the famous Creation of Adam. Contrary to popular belief, he painted it standing on scaffolding with his head tilted back, not lying down. More than 20 years later he returned to paint The Last Judgment on the chapel’s altar wall.