Studies of a reclining male nude: Adam in the fresco 'The Creation of Man' on the vault of the Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo, c1511

This superb drawing ranks among Michelangelo's greatest studies for the Sistine Chapel.
It is the most ambitious of three drawings that survive by him for the reclining figure of Adam reaching out to God the Father, whose touch will infuse him for life. It was fortunate for the Art Fund to have purchased this study as two others by him have been lost to the nation - The Risen Christ sold in 2000 for £2.3 million and The Study of a Mourning Woman sold to an American collector for £7.5 million. Favourably, the Art Fund only paid £600 for the Reclining Nude as its authenticity was then in question.
More information
Title of artwork, date
Studies of a reclining male nude: Adam in the fresco 'The Creation of Man' on the vault of the Sistine Chapel, c1511
Date supported
1926
Medium and material
Dark red chalk on paper
Dimensions
19.3 x 25.9 cm
Grant
600
Total cost
600

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