Europe · Vatican City
Vatican Museums
The collections of the popes include the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's ceiling and the Raphael Rooms, which hold The School of Athens. They are among the most visited art museums in the world.
History of the museum
The museums began in 1506 when Pope Julius II put the newly discovered ancient statue of Laocoön on display in the Vatican. Over the centuries, successive popes added ancient sculptures and paintings, and the museums opened to the public in the late 1700s. Michelangelo painted the Sistine ceiling between 1508 and 1512 for Julius II, and Raphael painted the rooms around 1509 to 1520.
Top pieces
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The School of Athens Raphael, 1511 -
The Creation of Adam Michelangelo, 1512
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The Last Judgment Michelangelo, 1541
In our gallery from here (16)
Separation of Light from DarknessMichelangelo · 1512
Erythraean SibylMichelangelo · 1508
Prophet ZechariahMichelangelo · 1508
Sistine Chapel ceiling - Persian SibylMichelangelo · 1511
Libyan SibylMichelangelo · 1512
Cumaean SibylMichelangelo · 1511
Saint Matthew and the AngelGuido Reni · 1620
Descent from Mount SinaiCosimo Rosselli · 1481
The Creation of the Sun, Moon and PlanetsMichelangelo · 1511
Testament and Death of MosesLuca Signorelli · 1482
The Sacrifice of NoahMichelangelo · 1508
The DelugeMichelangelo · 1509
Prophet EzekielMichelangelo · 1511
Saint Jerome in the WildernessLeonardo da Vinci · 1480
Oddi AltarpieceRaphael · 1502
San Francesco al Prato ResurrectionPietro Perugino · 1499