Question

The latest restoration of the Sistine Chapel began in - and took - years to complete, - as long as the Michelangelo took to paint it originally. When the restoration was completed, some thought the paintings were - than Michelangelo's originals, and that the restorers had made a mistake.

A) 2001; 10; half; more beautiful
B) 1990; 5; equally; less vibrant
C) 2015; 15; twice as long; less detailed
D) 1980; 20; three times as long; better preserved

Answer 1

The restoration of the Sistine Chapel began in 1980 and was completed in 1994, taking 14 years, three times as long as Michelangelo's original painting effort. Post-restoration, the frescoes were considered better preserved, with previously unseen vibrancy and detail.

Step-by-step explanation:

The latest restoration of the Sistine Chapel began in 1980 and took 14 years to complete, which was a procedure about three times as long as Michelangelo took to paint it originally, as he started the work in 1508 and completed the ceiling in 1512. After the restoration was completed in 1994, some critics thought the paintings were better preserved than Michelangelo's originals, suggesting that the layers of grime removed had revealed a vibrancy and detail not seen for centuries. The restoration involved cleaning the soot and dirt of 500 years and repairing cracks in the plaster to reestablish the original beauty of Michelangelo's work.