Separation of Light from Darkness

Artist: Michelangelo
Location: Sistine Chapel, Vatican City
Medium: Fresco
Date: 1512

Biblical Context

Creation - God separates light from darkness on the first day of creation (Genesis 1:3-5).

Completed in 1 day—the fastest execution of any panel on the ceiling. The only scene that is presented as if viewed from below, with dramatic foreshortening of God's figure. This is the first act of creation, showing God's hands separating the primordial light from darkness.