Roman baths inspired Michelangelo's Last Judgment

Italian researchers say Michelangelo's soaring The Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel was likely inspired by scenes from Roman baths.

The depiction of the second coming of Christ on a wall of the chapel, part of the Pope's palace complex in Vatican City, was painted between 1508 and 1512.

Researchers at the University of Pisa says it's likely the artist, who frequented the baths which also served as brothels for male and female prostitutes, created the muscular figures in his work from what he witnessed.

"The figures descending to hell and ascending to heaven are inspired by the virile, muscular manual workers and porters Michelangelo would have seen during his visits to the baths, which are well documented," said Elena Lazzarini, the author of the study, told London's The Guardian newspaper.

Public baths, which offered everything from steam rooms to massages and medical treatments as well as sexual acts, were common in Rome.

Artist studied the human form everywhere

Lazzarini says the work is full of vivid scenes, especially one in which a man is being dragged down to hell by his testicles while men above him, headed to heaven, embrace and kiss each other.

"Such scenes could have been inspired by the visits to the baths," she said.

Antonio Paolucci, head of the Vatican Museums, sees nothing surprising in the study.

"Michelangelo studied the human form everywhere, including in hospitals. And that passion for the human body, particularly male, remains unchanged," noted Paolucci.

In fact, 24 years after the work was completed, Vatican officials hired another artist to cover the exposed genitals in the painting because of complaints.

SIC: CBC/CANADA