Michelangelo Buonarroti was commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1508 to repaint the vault, or ceiling, of the Chapel. It was originally painted as golden stars on a blue sky. The work was completed between 1508 and 2 November 1512. He painted the Last Judgement over the altar, between 1535 and 1541, on commission from Pope Paul III Farnese.

Si s t ine Chape l (Cappella Sistina) is the best-known chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. It is famous for its architecture, evocative of Solomon’s Temple of the Old Testament, and its decoration which has been frescoed throughout by the greatest Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, and Sandro Botticelli..

The ceiling, and especially The Last Judgement, are widely believed to be Michelangelo's crowning achievements in painting. (source: Wikipedia)

AdrianaImages: InternetMusic: Nana Mouskouri “Adagio” (by Tomasso Albinoni)