4. ”The Prophet Zechariah”
Michelangelo’s work of art may seem normal at a first glance but just like the others I mentioned before, it has some hidden secrets. This mural presents the prophet while reading a book and near him are two cherubs who watch over his shoulder.
If you take the time and pay attention to the painting you can see that it looks like one of the two cherubs is doing an obscene sign with his hands. Some say he’s flipping the fig, meaning that he puts his thumb between his middle and index fingers. In our days, this gesture is translated as giving someone the middle finger.
His work was commissioned by Pope Julius II who was disliked by many people, including Michelangelo. This hidden sign is considered to be the author’s way of expressing his true feelings and contempt about the Pope. He couldn’t express those feelings out loud so he did what artists usually do, expressing emotions through their art. The reason for hiding it is because it was an offensive message he might have been punished for.
