Final answer:
Michelangelo spent four years painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel from 1508 to 1512, which includes a collection of frescoes with The Creation of Adam being one of the most renowned.
Step-by-step explanation:
Michelangelo spent almost four years painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. This immense work was started in 1508 and completed in 1512. The ceiling artwork includes several biblical scenes, with The Creation of Adam being among the most iconic. However, it is not just a single painting but a part of a larger complex scheme representing various theological themes such as Creation, the Downfall of Man, and the promise of Salvation.
The Last Judgment, another significant fresco by Michelangelo, is located on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel. It was created later in his life, from 1534 to 1541, and depicts the second coming of Christ and the apocalypse. This imposing work is a clear demonstration of the Mannerist style, with heavily muscled figures in dramatic poses. Interestingly, Michelangelo started out as a sculptor and initially resisted the monumental task of painting the Sistine Chapel's ceiling, but he eventually undertook this project to avoid the pope's displeasure.