November 15, 2010 | Arts / Entertainment

Michelangelo painted hustlers on the Sistine Chapel

According to Italian art historian Elena Lazzarini, Michelangelo used his visits to bathhouses and gay brothels as inspiration for the male figures in his Last Judgment fresco.

The Last Judgment is one of Michelangelo's most famous pieces of work, and covers one entire wall of the Sistine Chapel. It was commissioned in the 16th century, and represents the Second Coming of Jesus and the Apocalypse of the world. Apparently a second artist was brought in during the mid-16th century to cover up some of the more offending images Michelangelo had left behind.

Lazzarini points to several instances that she claims support her position. One man is depicted being dragged into Damnation by his testicles, while other men are seen kissing and embracing. Most are naked.

She added that as the artist was known to frequent gay brothels and Turkish baths, he would have used the men he saw there as muses for his work.

We wish we could see the parts that were painted out! Could it be that Michelangelo was more of an erotic artist than we ever knew?

Michelangelo's Last Judgment figures 'based on male prostitutes' [The Telegraph]