Rather than craning their necks to look up, visitors will experience Michelangelo’s genius from an entirely new perspective.
The UK premiere of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: A Different View exhibition in Winchester.
Attendees will be able to get above and up close to the paintings, looking down on The Genesis, which is enshrined on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, rather than up.
The exhibition features 50 reproductions, including an almost original-sized 4.9m by 22m reproduction of The Genesis and a 5.4m by 5.4m version of The Last Judgment, positioned just 1 to 2m from viewers.
Visitors can also view reproductions of 14 additional frescoes.
Scenes from the lives of Jesus and Moses, painted by Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Cosimo Rosselli, provide historical context and offer a deeper insight into the era.
The exhibition features 50 reproductions, including an almost original-sized 4.9m by 22m reproduction of The Genesis and a 5.4m by 5.4m version of The Last Judgment, positioned just 1 to 2m from viewers.
Promoters Stewart and Tricia Macpherson, of The Stetson Group, said they were honoured to bring such a significant exhibition to Christchurch.
“Whilst some people have had the opportunity to visit the Sistine Chapel on a trip through Rome, none will have been able to see the detail of Michelangelo’s brilliant work 22m above their heads,” Stewart said.
“In ‘Michelangelo A Different View’, you’re seeing such detail just a couple of metres away, and as distinct from being hurried along at the Vatican, you can take your time to view this fabulous art.”
VIP guided tours will be led by Dr Christopher Longhurst, a theologian and aesthete who served for 21 years as an operator at the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums’ Papal Art Galleries.
VIP guided tours will be led by Dr Christopher Longhurst, a theologian and aesthete who served for 21 years as an operator at the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums’ Papal Art Galleries.
Longhurst will take attendees behind the scenes to unravel some of the major historical and artistic moments surrounding the frescoes.
He said the exhibition offers an up-close and personal view of one of art history’s most extraordinary, complex and timeless visual masterpieces.
“Born out of an idea from The Stetson Group to give New Zealanders a different view of Michelangelo’s ceiling and altar wall, this exhibition offers unique significance for Aotearoa,” he said.
“The 16th century Florentine’s frescoes absorb within themselves not only the great heritage of the classical world and cutting-edge science, in which our civilisation here in New Zealand has its roots, but also local indigenous knowledge.
“The images speak to us as they touch the points of intersection between art and science, faith and reason, antiquity and modernity, Māori mythology and the Bible.”
Ross Steele, general manager at Te Pae Christchurch, said the venue was “proud” to host the exhibition.
“We’re proud to welcome this extraordinary Michelangelo exhibition to Te Pae Christchurch this summer, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience one of history’s greatest artistic legacies in an immersive and contemporary way,” Steele said.
“Hosting globally significant cultural experiences like this reinforces Christchurch’s position as a vibrant, world-class destination for arts, culture and events.”