Michelangelo Buonarroti The Libyan Sibyl

The "Libyan Sibyl is placed beneath the panel of "The Separation of Light from Darkness" and opposite the morose figure of the prophet Jeremiah. In Classical mythology Libyca was the daughter of Zeus and Lamia, the prophetess who foretold the "coming of the day when that which is hidden shall be revealed." The "Libyan Sibyl" sits in a very complicated pose with her feet showing under her dress, perching forward with her weight on her toes as she twists her body to lean backwards to lift up the huge book from behind her. Michelangelo has used foreshorting techniques in the sibyl's arms to create the impression that they move further away from us as she reaches ahead of her. The genius to her left mirrors her position with his turned head and twisted shoulder-a reminder to us that he is one part of a dual reflection of the sibyl's nature. The features of the sibyl are similar to those in the "Ideal Head," completed almost 20 years later. As well as sharing the same features, the two have a similar posture; looking over one shoulder with downcast eyes.