The Creation of the Sun, Moon and Plants
(sometimes
The Creation of the Sun, Moon and Vegetation
or
The Creation of the Sun and the Moon
) is one of the
frescoes
from
Michelangelo
's nine
Books of Genesis
scenes on the
Sistine Chapel ceiling
. It is the second scene in the chronological sequence on the ceiling, depicting the third and fourth day of the
Creation narrative
together in one panel.
[1]
[2]
On the left side of the painting God is depicted from
behind
, extending his arm towards a bush, alluding to the plant world. On the right side another image of God points towards the Sun with his right hand and toward the faint Moon with his left. His face expresses the force needed for the creation of the abode of living beings. The abstract patterns of
drapery
emphasise the motion of both figures of God.
The Creation of the Sun, Moon and Plants
is featured on the postage stamps of Vatican City (issue of 1994) and India (issue of 1975).