Inside Michaelangelo’s Sistine Chapel art exhibition: a journey of self-discovery through historical masterpieces

The Sistine Chapel Exhibition transports viewers on a journey through time, back to the Renaissance era when Michelangelo Buonarroti, the genius artist, brought the chapel’s ceiling and altar wall to life between 1508 and 1512. Located within the Vatican Museums, the actual Sistine Chapel is a place of religious significance, restricted to only a limited number of visitors at a time. However, this unprecedented exhibition brings art to the public, ensuring art enthusiasts in the Philippines can revel in the splendour of Michelangelo’s timeless work.

For exhibit organiser Ruth Co, this is not just for art lovers. She says this can also teach viewers about the visual history embedded in the frescoes. Each image is accompanied by informative signage and audio guides, which they can access by downloading the “Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel” app and listening to audio guides.

Designed as a multi-sensory experience, the exhibition greets audiences with ambient Renaissance music specially curated by Manila Symphony Orchestra conductor Marlon Chan. The smell of the era even lingers throughout the halls as the subtle scents of patchouli, sandalwood, and frankincense are dispersed throughout the exhibit.

See also: Sistine Chapel takes a trip to Mexico

Co says that many expressed interest in bringing the exhibit here in the country, but their group’s perseverance successfully made it come to fruition. She tells the story of how this exhibit sparked a more profound sense of purpose for her on one of their family trips: “In 2021, we’re travelling and one of our friends invited us to go to the convention centre where they were exhibiting Sistine Chapel. While touring the whole area with my family, two of my boys went to the frescoes and started relating it to the Bible. They started appreciating what they learned when they were young.”

“So I said ‘Wow, if I can touch the lives of the millennials maybe I can also help our country’,” she adds. Co says that she has observed a growing number of “broken and hurting” youth. “Perhaps if they’re connected to their creator and their foundation is very strong, they would rather pray to the Lord, rather than dwell in the negativity. This is a good way to show that indeed we have a God.”

She says, “We hope this exhibit will touch the lives of people, especially the youth, so they can reconnect with the Lord. Yes, we have our worldly problems but at the end of the day, our Lord is there to help us navigate our lives.”

Tickets are available at the exhibit or online at sistinechapelphilippines.com. For further information, visit their social media channels @sistinechapelphilippines

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