ABSTRACT
In all the discussion and controversy surrounding the current restoration of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, there has been little mention of another surprising discovery that is taking place there. The cleaning has revealed the clear presence of several hands, not only in the painting of the architecture and decoration, but also in some of the secondary figures. The evidence of assisting painters was recognized by Biagio Biagetti more than thirty years ago, and is readily apparent to anyone who has mounted the scaffolding and seen the frescos up close 1 . While it is too early, and probably fallacious, to separate the various hands being revealed by the restorers, it is an opportune moment to give Michelangelo’s assistants their due.
