Final answer:
Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling, starting in 1508 and taking four years to complete the task. This work has become one of the most iconic frescoes in the world and continues to be admired for its artistry and historical significance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Michelangelo was a masterful artist tasked with painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling, a commission he could not refuse due to the pope's insistence. Despite his initial reluctance, believing that painting was better left to others, he undertook the monumental task. In 1508, Michelangelo began working on the Sistine Chapel's ceiling which is over 20 meters high. He designed special scaffolding to stand under the curved ceiling for painting. The process involved covering small sections with plaster and painting frescoes into the wet plaster. This labor-intensive process, with Michelangelo's neck craned upward, took four years to complete, resulting in what is now considered one of the most iconic ceiling frescoes in the world. The frescoes include the famous image of Daniel, which, after restoration work that started in 1980 and ended in 1994, shows the original beauty intended by Michelangelo. The importance of the Sistine Chapel ceiling in the history of art is unparalleled, influencing numerous artists and continuing to captivate audiences centuries later.