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

Exterior of the Sistine Chapel

1475-83
Photo
Cappella Sistina, Vatican

Built between 1475 and 1483, in the time of Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere, the Sistine Chapel has originally served as Palatine Chapel. The Chapel is rectangular in shape and measures 40,93 meters long by 13,41 meters wide, i.e. the exact dimensions of the Temple of Solomon, as given in the Old Testament.

The architectural plans were made by Baccio Pontelli and the construction was supervised by Giovanino de'Dolci.