Storied battle scenes, golden shields and rosy-cheeked cherubs can all be found in Michelangelo’s biblical painting, but may be a little hard to spot when squinting up from the marble floors of the Sistine Chapel. Well, you can put your binoculars away as the historic work of art is coming to Leeds. Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition is a bewitching experience which envelops you into the elysian world of the High Renaissance artist; where you can journey through his striking paintings which have been displayed on stunning floor-to-ceiling canvases and admire every exquisite detail without stepping foot outside the city. The exhibition will be adding its unique splash of centuries-old colour to Versa Leeds Studio this September, make sure you grab your tickets now if you fancy being first through the doors.
This unique exhibition is the brainchild of LA-based SEE Global Entertainment (SEE™), who, funnily enough, specialise in global touring exhibitions. Leeds will soon be joining cities such as Chicago, Shanghai, Phoenix, Berlin and Vienna, who have got to see the spellbinding frescoes of the Sistine Chapel up-close in all their life-sized, high-definition glory.
It is thanks to some digital wizardry – aka state-of-the-art technology, licensed high-definition photos and a special printing technique – plus, plenty of special expertise and care that this exhibition has come to fruition.
From the moment you enter, you will be immersed in the painted world of Michelangelo, every biblical figure and narrative laid out right before you. You could almost imagine standing on the artist’s special scaffolding back in 1508: watching the piece grow with every brushstroke, outstretched fingers just centimetres from the vaulted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in a striking parody of its arguably most iconic image, The Creation of Adam.
To truly get an insight into the Italian artist’s inspiration and process behind the frescoes there will be informative signage, or, for an even deeper dive, audio guides that are available to rent. Whether you’ve already paid a sunny visit to Rome to see the masterpiece in its historic home and fancy a second look, or are hoping to lay your eyes on it for the first time, make sure you don’t miss out on tickets.