The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo remains one of the most famous paintings on earth. Find out the interpretation behind one of the most pristine works of art.
The Creation of Adam has often been equated to the significance of consciousness, but its multiple interpretations tell other stories.
With many interpretations, it’s essential to understand why this particular work of art is Michelangelo’s message to humanity. As an intellectual, Michelangelo created his art with truth and philosophy.
HBO’s ‘Westworld’ and its definition of ‘The Creation of Adam’
One popular interpretation of Michelangelo Buonarroti’s painting was aired on HBO’s Westworld.
The painting was referred to in the episode regarding its significance to consciousness.
The character in Westworld, Dr. Robert Ford, played by Sir Anthony Hopkins, used the painting to suggest one of his human-like android creations.
He described consciousness as a true gift a creator can give his creation. This gave the painting a whole new interpretation in that scenario.
It meant that Dr. Robert Ford was “God” in that scenario, and the android creations were Adam. This was the theme explored in the series, emphasizing consciousness as the greatest gift.
Scientific evidence supporting this interpretation
While it could be easy to think that this interpretation is entirely opinionated, further facts and statements share how there is truth to this interpretation.
Although there are many other interpretations, some are heavily influenced by the interpreter’s experience.
Dr. Frank Lynn Meshberger released an article entitled An Interpretation of Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam Based on Neuroanatomy. In this article, Dr. Meshberger suggested that depicting God as consciousness is plausible.
He also points out Michelangelo’s sonnets and his anatomy study to help support this theory on the interpretation of the painting.
Michelangelo’s sonnets and their influence
The sonnets by Michelangelo suggest that creation first forms in the intellect before the hands can ever be involved.
Through the knowledge he gained by dissecting cadavers, he created a representation of a cross-section of a brain to “host the source of creation: God.” A brain-like feature surrounds God in The Creation of Adam.
This strongly supports the argument that the painting represents consciousness and how it was the greatest gift God gave Adam.
The interpretation by Eric Bess
Eric Bess, a Ph.D. student at the Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts (IDSVA) and a practicing representational artist, gave his thoughts on the painting.
According to Bess, he only had a different interpretation before stumbling onto the one that suggested it was about consciousness.
Bess previously interpreted The Creation of Adam as God created Adam by Michelangelo’s understanding of the Catholic doctrine.
The figurative artist shares how Michelangelo was publicly a devout Catholic and that Jesus himself says: “The kingdom of God is within you.”
Bess suggests that Michelangelo could have taken this literally when dissecting cadavers. Another suggestion was that the artist used his art to represent the immaterial. The figurative artist also highlights Adam’s nakedness saying: “We are born into this world naked and die leaving everything behind.”
Nakedness and its role in ‘The Creation of Adam’
Bess explained the role of nakedness in The Creation of Adam. He shared that to him, nakedness represents an absence of selfishness.
He shared how the painting depicts that Adam is not the owner of anything and looks to be without desire for everything. Finally, with an outstretched hand that lacks enthusiasm, Adam sits back in a relaxing and comfortable manner.
Despite the lack of enthusiasm in his hand gestures, Adam’s face still displays adoration for the divine.
Bess firmly states: “Calm selfishness and a state of desirelessness are pleasing to God.”
Bess also noted that an argument could be made that Adam’s arm is relaxed because God stretched out his arm in the process of “giving life to Adam.”
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