“The Ancestors of Christ: Abiud, Eliakim” is a fresco by Michelangelo, completed in 1512 as part of the High Renaissance art movement. This artwork, measuring 215 x 430 cm, is a religious painting that belongs to the series of Sistine Chapel Paintings. The fresco is located in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, illustrating figures significant within the Christian religious context.
The artwork depicts a scene with three figures, set within a space that resembles a partially completed architectural niche. The central focus is a tablet inscribed with the names “ZOROBABEL,” “ABIVD,” and “ELIAKIM,” flanked by two groups. To the left, a seated male figure holds a nude child, offering a tender and protective gesture, symbolizing the continuity of lineage. On the right side, another seated male figure adorned in drapery and a head covering appears thoughtful, also holding a child. The interplay of light and shadow, the solid weight of the figures, and the masterful use of perspective and foreshortening exemplify Michelangelo’s skill and the High Renaissance aesthetic. The subdued color palette and the careful rendering of the human form capture a naturalistic and profound expression of biblical ancestry, highlighting the humanity and genealogy leading to Christ.
