An artist from Mexico for 15 years reproduces frescoes from the Sistine Chapel Automatic translate

MEXICO CITY. Michelangelo from Mexico is called Miguel Macías. Over the past 15 years, he tried to reproduce the painting of the Sistine Chapel on the ceiling of the local church of Our Lady of Endless Help. “Many say I’m crazy,” Masias admits.

The painting elements of the Sistine Chapel are partially reproduced around the world and in many museums, as well as bars and restaurants. Macias is confident that his work will be the only copy of all the frescoes that adorn the chapel. By happy coincidence, the church in which the artist works has a ceiling of almost the same size and curvature as the chapel in the Vatican. The ceiling of the Mexican church is 33 feet, which is about 2 times less than the original and allows visitors to better view the images.

The devout Catholic and amateur artist, Mr. Masias, is 71 years old. The idea to repeat the greatest examples of Michelangelo’s painting came to him during a visit to Rome, after he retired in 1999. “The moment I entered the chapel,” he recalls, “I realized that it was very similar to our local church. And I told myself, why not transfer Michelangelo to my area? ”

The parish priest gave his blessing, because Masisas pursued a good goal - to show the inhabitants of the working quarter of the city of Moktesum a masterpiece that most of them will never be able to see in person. “I consider this a social work,” says the artist.

Friends-architects help to realize what Miguel Masias intended, who divided the ceiling into sectors and explained how to reproduce complex architectural elements and figures of people so that they can be seen from below as in the original. In 2001, the artist was able to start work.

“The iconic scene of Adam and God, stretching towards each other, known throughout the world, was the first that I wrote,” says Macias. “It was the easiest way to quickly draw attention to my work.”

Not everyone liked what they saw. Some parishioners complained about the appearance of nudes soaring over the images of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of Mexico. But there were those who supported the artist. The work attracted the attention of student artists and local media. As a result, the parish was replenished with new members who moved here from neighboring churches.

Photo: Yuri Cortez / Agence France-Presse / Getty Images

“I would like to pray here,” says Marta Salgado, a housewife. “This is amazing - you can raise your head and see these incredible paintings and colors. They inspire. ”

Archbishop of Mexico City Cardinal Norberto Rivera visited the church in 2006 and praised the initiative, however, did not offer financial assistance.

“Michelangelo was paid with gold ducats, he had the support of the pope himself,” says the artist. “I pay for all this from my own pocket.”

Masias buys everything he needs on his retirement and donations from friends, relatives and like-minded people. “My wife always tells me that I am the only person who pays to work,” he laughs.

Unlike Michelangelo, whose paintings were painted on fresh plaster, Masias uses giant paintings in his work, which he then glues to the ceiling and varnishes. 10 of the 14 canvases are finished. Together with the artist there are four assistants who perform preliminary sketches. They work in the studio on the terrace and on the roof of the church, guided by several large art books, meticulously copying tones and proportions.

Before retiring, Miguel Macias worked for almost 20 years as a graphic designer at the Mexican Public Health Institute, creating any graphic image from a logo to an advertising banner. Working on the reconstruction of the Sistine Chapel for many years, the artist began to consider the great Michelangelo as a close friend and was reluctant to share his secrets of writing.

“When I draw, sometimes I feel that Michelangelo is penetrating me,” he says. “When I am desperate and the work is hard, I shout to him:“ Please come and help me! What are you doing over there?"!"

It took Michelangelo about four years, from 1508 to 1512, to complete the painting of the chapel, while the Mexican artist had already spent 4 times as much time. Tentatively, it will be possible to complete the work in 3 years. During this time, two parish priests died, the last of which, shortly before his death, told Masias: “You have no right to fall ill or die until you finish the picture.” “I will try not to disappoint him,” promises Miguel Macias.

Anna Sidorova © Gallerix.ru