This Day in History: br Sistine Chapel Ceiling Opens to Public.br November 1, 1512.br The breathtaking series of ceiling br frescoes where painted by br Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti br over the span of four years.br They are widely considered his br most memorable work, as well br as some of the greatest paintings br of the Western world.br Located in the papal chapel br within the Vatican Palace, Michelangelo's br work in the Sistine Chapel was br commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1508. .br The frescoes depict scenes from br the Old Testament, the most famous br of which is 'The Creation of Adam.'.br Michelangelo painted much of br the Sistine Chapel lying on his back atop br of a series of scaffolding. The accomplishment br took a great physical toll on the artist.