The idea of the divine creation of the universe - The Genesis (1508-1512), 40.2×13.6m, fresco, Vatican Museums, Rome. (Top) Magnificent panorama. (Bottom) The Creation of Adam. The massive fresco of The Genesis is forty meters long, nearly fourteen meters wide, and rises twenty meters above the ground. The entire work depicts 343 figures, with the central body divided into nine large panels: Separation of Light from Darkness, Creation of the Celestial Bodies, Creation of the Sun and Moon, Creation of Adam, Creation of Eve, The Fall, Noah's Sacrifice, The Great Flood, and Noah's Drunkenness.

On both sides are twelve wondrous prophets (starting from the left of Separation of Light from Darkness): Prophet Jeremiah (seemingly a self-portrait by Michelangelo), Sibyl Persica, Prophet Ezekiel, Sibyl Eritrea, Prophet Joel. (Starting from the right of Separation of Light from Darkness): Sibyl Libica, Prophet Daniel, Sibyl Cumana, Prophet Isaiah, Sibyl Deifica. In front (above The Last Judgment) is Prophet Jonah; behind is Prophet Zechariah.

The triangular spandrels at the four corners: (Left side near church entrance) Judith and Holofernes - The beautiful Jewish heroine Judith, serving Assyrian general Holofernes in his camp, kills him while he is drunk to save her city, depicting this heroic story of slaying the enemy to save the city with dramatic flair. (Right side) David and Goliath - The young King David of ancient Israel strikes the giant Goliath down with a stone, then draws his blade and heroically stands on the giant's body to strike him down. Above The Last Judgment (Left side) Bronze Serpent - This is the most dramatic and brilliant panel, showing Moses leading the Jews out of Egypt; lacking food, the people complain against God, angering Heaven, which sends a giant fiery serpent to punish them, causing countless deaths. In the foreground, the angry fiery serpent coils around the panicked crowd. Behind, God commands Moses to make a magical bronze serpent mounted on a pole; anyone bitten who repents can be saved by looking at it. (Right side) Punishment of Haman - This is the most rhythmically powerful panel among the spandrels, with strong relief-like qualities. It depicts Vashti, queen of Persian King Ahasuerus, who, out of jealousy for the young Haman, maliciously sets a trap to have the king execute his favorite minister, Haman. On the left, the queen designs the trap; on the right, the king orders Haman's execution in fury. In the dramatically composed center, Haman is placed on a cross, his powerful body seeming to rush out of the painting.