The Creation of Adam is a well-known work, painted by Michelangelo. There are a lot of parts put into this one painting, yet the viewer is not over whelmed or confused. This is because of how the picture was strategically done. The painting has two main focal points, Adam and Jesus. Some would already think of two focal points as being a lot to have in one picture Maybe the viewer’s eyes are almost fighting to look at one over the other. Looking at the painting in two parts, the viewer will realize it is right side heavy. A lot more subjects are painted on the right-side. This is the style Michelangelo choose to use, but once again this style is precisely achieved in a way that does not add distraction, but only adds depth. The details are just enough to keep the viewers’ attention, and mind working. Behind God it appears, a separate scene is taking place. There are the angels, as well as the shape that contains God and the angels. Looking closely one will notice the shape is a scientific representation of a brain. Observing the way lines are used, the objects in the foreground, and style, the viewer can see how artist can manipulate the brain. This is important because the viewer is only going to be interested if his or her mind is stimulated.

Michelangelo was an intelligent man; he used linear perspective to create a flow throughout this work. They are able to control how your eyes move across a painting. When looking at the painting, The Creation of Adam, the viewer’s eyes are guided from one side to the other. The viewer’s eyes are carried all the way across because of how Michelangelo chose to use lines. Adam’s arm is casually stretched out. The eyes of the viewers start at Adams head and follow Adams arm all the way to the tip of his finger. There is a small gap but not enough to lose the connection. The viewer’s eyes will pick up with God’s extended finger and follow down his arm, across his body, all the way to his feet. This technique of using lines helps guide the viewer through the story presented in the painting. The line being created between Adam and God’s arm creates a visual movement. This helps the viewer stay focused and engaged in the painting.

Looking at the foreground of the painting the shape behind God can be seen as a brain. If traced the brain appears to have most major parts of a realistic human brain.  This caused discussion due to the fact that not much was previously known about the image of the brain. The angels bottom leg can be traced to form the spinal cord coming from the brain. Why would Michelangelo have added this complex structure to an already visually appealing work? Because he was able to in such a way that it adds more meaning to the painting. The brain is strategically placed in the foreground. Almost unnoticeable unless given a hint to look deeper into the painting. A connection can be made as to why Michelangelo added the brain. The brain is the control center of the human body; it is also the house of human’s intellect. God has complete control, and is passing on intellect to Adam. The passing on is shown through the connection made between their fingers. Michelangelo, adding this extra part to the paining only, enhanced the painting in a visual and intellectual way. This gives the viewer more to ponder, thus leading to more discussion of his beautiful work. 

The style Michelangelo chose to use in this painting is lopsided. The right side of the painting contains a lot more objects than the left. The left is simple; Adam is pictured sitting on a stone. On the right side of the painting God is sitting among a group of angels. Some of the angels are pushing away from God, others are pushing towards God. Some have visible facial expressions, other are turned so the viewer can only see their backsides. Although the right is denser and busier a viewer may not notice because it is so beautifully crafted, and puzzled together. There is so much going on, on one side of the painting, and so little on the other, yet when the viewer looks at this painting as a whole he or she never feels overwhelmed. What seems like a chaotic painting is actually very serene, and calm.

When observing the visual elements of lines, background layers, and style the viewers mind is stimulated. These elements help enhance the connection between visualization and brain stimulation. The flow of the of the painting, The Creation of Adam, is achieved through the line made by the bodies and arms of Adam and God. This use of a line is a guiding factor for the painting It helps the viewer move from one side to the other. The way the painting is designed to be more simple on one side and more complex on the other, gives the painting a certain style. The way the painting is layered allows the viewer to create an almost totally separate, and knew story for each layer. Using visual elements can add depth and meaning to a work. Whether the elements are subtle or obvious, they are put in to the work with a purpose. The more visual elements in a work the more intrigued and invested a viewer will be. Almost all aspects of a work can be connected to some visual element.
