500th anniversary of the unveiling of the Sistine Chapel frescoes
Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato |
moneta “500° Anniversario della presentazione degli affreschi della Cappella Sistina (1512-2012)”
12/10/2012
Rome - 500 years ago, on October 31st 1512, Michelangelo Buonarroti completed the fresco paintings of the Sistina Chapel vault in the Saint Peter's Church of Rome. The work was assigned to Michelangelo by Pope Giulio II and the Italian painter started it four years before, in 1508. Since the beginning, the project appeared complex and difficult to be completed as it became larger than originally programmed. The initial assignment Michelangelo received was to paint the twelve figures of the Apostles. Four years later the Italian maestro painted the figures of over three hundred different characters of the Old and New Testament on the impressive extension of over 500 square meters.
To celebrate the 500 years anniversary of the Michelangelo Buonarroti masterpiece, the Italian authorities have issued a 5 Euro silver coin on a limited edition of 10.000 pieces. The coin represents on one side the detail of a face and on the other a naked figure.
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