Michelangelo comes to Manchester as new Sistine Chapel exhibition opens

You will not find many people who are unfamiliar with Michelangelo’s famous fresco The Creation of Man.

Symbolising nothing less than the origin of humanity, the ensoulment of the first man by God, it forms part of the wall and ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel that brought Michelangelo Buonarotti worldwide renown.

But while visitors to the Vatican Museums in Rome can marvel at these frescoes only from afar – and with a no-photography rule – Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition offers the opportunity to observe these masterpieces close up.

In the new exhibition, which opens today at Trafford Palazzo, Michelangelo’s renowned ceiling frescoes from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel have been reproduced photographically and artfully displayed in their original size as 34 reproductions on 16-foot panels.

This innovative interpretation of the timeless masterpieces can be viewed up-close, including The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment.

With special expertise and care, the ceiling paintings from the Sistine Chapel have been reproduced in a truly unique way, using licensed high definition photos.

Brought to life using a special printing technique that emulates the look and feel of the original paintings, visitors are given a chance to engage with the artwork in ways that were never before possible, seeing every detail, every brushstroke, and every colour of the artist’s 34 frescoes.

Michelangelo’s masterpieces stretch floor-to-ceiling and closer than ever, and each image is accompanied by informative signage.

Audio guides are also available to rent for an even more in-depth experience.

Visitors will learn all that there is to know about Michelangelo’s life through this enchanting exhibit.

Making its debut in the United States at the State Fair of Texas, the exhibition was voted in the top three attractions at the yearly event. It has previously made stops in Montreal, Canada, and Vienna, Austria.

In collaboration with LA-based exhibition company Special Entertainment Events, Inc. (SEE), and Fever, the leading entertainment discovery platform, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition has now reached Manchester – the first time it has come to the UK, following a stop in London.

It’s the brainchild of Martin Biallas, founder and CEO of SEE, who, with over 30 years of experience, has worked with top motion picture studios, record labels, music and film stars, and major entertainment brands.

He is also an innovator, bringing new consumer experiences, both physical and digital, for some of the world’s most famous franchised properties and cultural heritages.

Crowded, and with people unable to take photos, Martin says didn’t enjoy the rushed real-life experience in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, and so came up with a new way to get closer to Michelangelo’s work.

“I actually had the idea as soon as I walked out of there,” he tells us.

“And with this exhibition, you actually see it from a perspective that no Pope has ever seen it – you could literally only see it like that if you got up on scaffolding.

“It really makes you appreciate Michelangelo’s sheer talent.”

It certainly does.

Don’t miss this breath-taking, immersive and enchanting experience in Manchester, which is at Trafford Palazzo for a limited three-month period.

The exhibition is open now and is located at Trafford Palazzo at Trafford City. Tickets start from £10 and are available here.