Final answer:
The Sistine Chapel's ceiling and walls feature frescoes by Michelangelo depicting biblical scenes, including the Creation, the Fall, and the Last Judgment, with interpretations varying based on ecclesiastical and artistic contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The paintings on the ceiling and walls of the Sistine Chapel primarily depict scenes from the Bible. Michelangelo's work on the chapel's ceiling includes iconic frescoes of Genesis, such as the Creation of Adam, the Fall of Adam and Eve, and the Flood. In 1512 upon its completion, the ceiling's complex iconography and dramatic style instantly coupled it with the rank of one of the most remarkable artistic feats. Featured on the altar wall is Michelangelo's monumental Last Judgment, painted two decades later, which is volubly apocalyptic and showcases the final judgment of souls. Given the importance of the chapel in the Vatican Palace, the frescoes can be interpreted through various lenses including ecclesiastical, artistic, or patron's intent, leading to a rich tapestry of possible meanings.