How have scholars interpreted Neoplatonic ideas in the Sistine Chapel ceiling?

Scholars have interpreted the complex and unusual iconography of the Sistine Chapel ceiling through a Neoplatonic lens, viewing the frescoes as a representation of the essential phases of human spiritual development.1

In this interpretation, the narrative depicted on the ceiling illustrates the dramatic and evolving relationship between God and humanity. By framing the biblical scenes from Genesis within this philosophical context, the work is seen as an exploration of the soul's journey and its connection to the divine. This perspective aligns with the Neoplatonic philosophy that Michelangelo was exposed to during his youth at the court of Lorenzo the Magnificent, which emphasized the idea that love and spiritual striving assist human beings in their difficult effort to ascend toward the divine.12