Ross King is the author of the bestselling books Leonardo da Vinci and The Last Supper, Enchanting Madness. Claude Monet and the water lilies." His next book is a fascinating story about how the ceiling painting of the Sistine Chapel was created, based on historical documents and the latest research by historians and art historians. This is a story of titanic labor against the backdrop of painful creative dissatisfaction, countless everyday hardships, alarming political conflicts, confrontation with a brilliantly gifted young rival - Rafael from Urbino and the influential architect Bramante, as well as tense relations with an imperious customer. The majestic fresco, created against all odds, was destined to glorify the name of Michelangelo for centuries.