Creation of Adam - Michelangelo

In Medieval times, churches were rich in artworks depicting bible characters and stories. At a time when there was no printing press and most folks were illiterate, the art helped recall the stories of the bible to those who came to the church.

How accurate are the artworks from Medieval and Renaissance times? I would like to compare some famous works of art to biblical accounts.

Let’s start at the beginning, literally, with Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam.

This is a beautiful scene, as is the rest of the Sistine Chapel. God, floating in the sky, reaches down to Adam to give him the spark of life.  

It is not scripturally accurate.

Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

God is not depicted breathing life into Adam as scripture tells us. Adam is given some prominence in the fresco as if Man is the important part of the story of Creation instead of the creative action of God. Essentially giving more glory to Adam than to the Lord.