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

Eleazar - Matthan

1511-12
Fresco, 215 x 430 cm
Cappella Sistina, Vatican

"Eliud begat Eleazar. Eleazar begat Matthan. Matthan begat Joseph." (Matthew 1:15)

Eleazar, father of Matthan is generally believed to be the young man on the right. His head is seen in profile, and he appears to be immersed in his thoughts. Behind him are visible the heads of a woman and a child.

In the left part of the lunette, Matthan, in the background, seems to be turning with an expression of astonishment or apprehension toward his wife, who, seated and seen in profile, plays with the child Jacob, who frisks on her knee.

This lunette was probably the first to be frescoed by Michelangelo.




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