The Sistine Chapel; The Flowers of Washington

The Creation of Adam, by Michelangelo

If you believe that there is or might be a God (or gods), does Michelangelo's representation of God on the Sistine Chapel ceiling resemble the picture of God in your head? Why or why not?

Sam: I can't really imagine what God looks like, I imagine him as a spirit. So Michelangelo's picture does not work for me. I imagine God as a spirit who is nice but stern.

Mac: Yes, because God in this painting seems very old and wise, knowing everything. Michelangelo captured it perfectly with the light grey beard and light grey hair.

Percy: No, not really. I always thought God's eyes would be kinder. In this painting his eyes don't look mean, but they don't look very kind and helpful either.

Andrew: No. I don't think God would look like anything. I think of God as a spirit. God wouldn't be a boy or girl, either; I think God would be like a wise and mysterious cloud.

Liam: I believe that god is a force, not a person, like a great white light, a life force that no one can really depict or explain.

Fletcher: It does resemble how I think of god. I think of him as old and wise, with white hair and a beard, the way that Michelangelo drew it.

Ellen: I think the way you want to imagine or see God is different for each person, and there's not a right or wrong way to see it. 

The Flowers of Washington, by Alexa

Flowers at the National Gallery, by Kelsey