The Creation of Adam who reclines at left and touching the hand of God

Art Historical Context

Behold the dramatic moment of divine creation in *The Creation of Adam who reclines at left and the hand of God*, masterful engraving from the late 16th century. Attributed to Polidoro da Carav, a Mannerist painter influenced by Michelangelo and executed by the skilled engraver Cherubinoti (also known as Zaccaria Mattia this print dates to around 1570–1615. Measuring 6 1/2 × 10 9/16 inches, it captures the iconic biblical scene where God reaches out to touch Adam's hand, infusing life into the first man. Engravings like this were revolutionary in the Renaissance, allowing the dissemination of grand frescoes—likely inspired by Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel masterpiece—to collectors and scholars across Europe. Alberti's precise technique, incising lines into a copper plate for inked impressions, renders dynamic poses, swirling drapery, and the nude form of Adam with striking clarity and depth. Polidoro's design emphasizes Mannerist elegance, with elongated figures and emotional intensity. Today, this work resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, acquired through the Joseph Pulitzer Bequest in 1917. It invites us to ponder humanity's spark of divinity, blending artistic innovation with timeless theology.

About the Artist

Polidoro da Caravaggio|Cherubino Alberti (Zaccaria Mattia) · 1492–present

Polidoro Caldara, known as Polidoro da Caravaggio, was born around 1499 in Caravaggio, Lombardy, and emerged as one of the most innovative painters of the early Mannerist period. Arriving in Rome circa 1515 as an untrained laborer hauling plaster for the Vatican Logge decorations, he quickly caught the eye of Raphael's key assistant, Maturino da Firenze. By 1517, Polidoro had joined Raphael's work...