A fascinating interpretation that emerged from a study published in the journal The Breast suggests that a woman depicted by Michelangelo in the Last Judgement, part of the famous fresco in the Sistine Chapel, may be showing signs of breast cancer. This female figure, wrapped in a blue veil, holds her ribs under her breast, which has obvious abnormalities on the right side, consistent with the symptoms of the disease. The area around the right armpit also shows characteristics that could indicate health problems.

The fresco of the Last Judgement, painted between 1508 and 1512 on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, includes scenes of the Great Flood, part of the Stories of Genesis. Bioanthropologist Raffaella Bianucci, of the University of Paris Saclay, analyzed the woman’s right breast in detail. She noted that the nipple appears indented and the areola presents irregularities and signs of erosion. In addition, a swelling is observed under the armpit that could be compatible with swollen lymph nodes. These clues would suggest the presence of breast cancer.

Bianucci suggests that this discovery could shed light on the incidence of cancer as early as the 16th century, specifically in 1508, the year in which Michelangelo completed the work. The author also highlights the advanced scientific knowledge regarding the identification of diseases in that historical period. Michelangelo was in fact known for having studied human anatomy and had refined his skills through dissections of cadavers before dedicating himself to the Stories of Genesis. If the interpretation is correct, it could indicate that the artist wanted to represent concepts related to the inevitability of death and the fragility of human life.

This analysis not only offers a new look at an iconic artwork but also raises questions about the interaction between art and science in the Renaissance. Michelangelo’s attention to anatomical detail may reflect a deep understanding of human conditions and the suffering associated with disease. Such an approach makes the fresco more complex to read, inviting us to explore the connections between artistic creativity and medical knowledge of the time.