9The work was commissioned by Pope Julius II

Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1508. He started by working on a cycle of frescoes on the upper walls and vault of the Sistine Chapel.

Although Michelangelo found the work daunting, he was satisfied with what he did. He was reluctant on taking the job because he considered himself a sculptor and not a painter. At one point, Michelangelo thought that the job was a trap and quietly left Rome before coming back. This fresco in the Sistine Chapel is one of his famous work and considered to be the most heroic achievement. Michelangelo did all the work by himself although at some point he considered getting assistants to finish it up quickly. None of the candidates of the found could match up to his skills.