See the artwork of the Sistine Chapel without ever leaving the US

Throughout history, the beautiful decorative frescoes that adorn the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City have stunned visitors. Now, art lovers in the US can appreciate the artwork without leaving the country, as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition opens in St. Louis.

On display at America’s Ballroom on the second floor of America’s Center, the 27,625 sq ft exhibition space features incredible recreations of segments of Michelangelo’s original artwork, reproduced as close to the original size as possible. Because the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is curved, the images have been adapted slightly, but visitors can get up close and personal in a way that is not possible at the original site. According to the creators, all key images from the chapel have been included using state-of-the-art technology.

“This exhibit is unique because it magnifies one of the world’s greatest artistic achievements for everyone to see. The exhibition features 34 displayed reproductions, including the internationally recognized The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgement. You can truly become overwhelmed by the details of the art as each ceiling fresco has been reproduced in its near original size using state-of-the-art technology. More importantly, due to COVID-19 and travel restrictions, this exhibition allows visitors to be safely transported to the Vatican all while never leaving St. Louis,” a representative for the exhibition told Lonely Planet.

Michelangelo’s biblical scenes are renowned as some of the most famous and complex works of art in history, showcasing scenes from the Old Testament in vibrant detail. The exhibition was created working with photographs taken post-restoration of the ceiling in the 1980s and 1990s and includes a display showing the differences of The Last Judgement pre and post updating. It also offers an extensive audio guide in English and Spanish.

The exhibit is open Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 8pm from November 6 onwards. Timed ticketing is in place to limit capacity, while visitors’ temperatures will be taken and face coverings are mandatory.

More information on Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition is available at the official website.

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