Explore Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition in St. Louis

Throughout history, the dramatic frescoes that adorn the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City have mesmerized visitors. Now, art lovers in the US can appreciate these masterpieces without leaving the country, as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition opens in St. Louis.

Exhibition Details

Located at America’s Ballroom on the second floor of America’s Center, this expansive exhibition covers 27,625 sq ft, featuring remarkable recreations of segments from Michelangelo’s original artwork, designed as closely to the original size as possible. Although the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is curved, the images have been slightly adapted, allowing visitors to engage with the art in a manner that is not possible at the original site. According to the creators, all key images from the chapel have been included using cutting-edge technology.

Artistic Achievements on Display

“This exhibit is unique because it magnifies one of the world’s greatest artistic achievements for everyone to see. The exhibition features 34 displayed reproductions, including the highly recognized The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgement. Visitors can truly appreciate the intricate details of the art, as each ceiling fresco has been reproduced in its nearly original size using state-of-the-art technology. More importantly, due to COVID-19 and travel restrictions, this exhibition allows visitors to be safely transported to the Vatican all while never leaving St. Louis,” a representative for the exhibition stated.

Michelangelo’s biblical scenes are celebrated as some of the most famous and intricate works of art in history, vividly illustrating scenes from the Old Testament. The exhibition was developed using photographs from the post-restoration of the ceiling in the 1980s and 1990s, and includes a display illustrating the changes to The Last Judgement before and after its meticulous restoration. Furthermore, an extensive audio guide in both English and Spanish enhances the visitors’ experience.

Visitor Information

The exhibit is open from Thursday to Sunday, offering hours from 10 am to 8 pm starting November 6. For safety, timed ticketing is implemented to limit capacity, while visitors’ temperatures will be monitored, and face coverings are mandatory.

For further details regarding Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition, please visit the official website.