MICHELANGELO Buonarroti
(b. 1475, Caprese, d. 1564, Roma)

The Libyan Sibyl (detail)

1511
Fresco
Cappella Sistina, Vatican

The complex, almost serpentine, rotation of the young sibyl, who seems to be rising from hrer seat, gives prominence to the remarkable richness, elegance, and delicacy of the juxtapositions of colour. Thus, the light violet of the ribbon tied around the sibyl's head is placed next to the yellow ochre of the braid; the deeper, brighter yellow of the bodice, bordered with gray-blue and open at the sides, is next to the red ochre of the lining and the light violet of the robe, which resembles that of the ribbon.