the middle of the vault from end to end, as it were,
the open sky. This opening is divided into nine spaces; for from the
cornices over the pilasters spring certain arches with cornices, which
traverse the highest part of the vault, and join the cornice on the
opposite side of the chapel, leaving from arch to arch nine openings,
large and small. In the smaller spaces are two fillets, painted like
marble that cross the opening in such a way that in the middle rest the
two parts and one of the bands, where medallions are placed, as shall be
told in due course; and this has been done to avoid monotony, which is
born of sameness. Now, at the head of the chapel, in the first opening,
which is one of the smaller ones, is seen how the Omnipotent God in the
heavens by the movement of His arms divides light from darkness. In the
second space is how He created the two great lights. The Creator is seen
with arms extended: with the right He lights the sun, and with the left
the moon. With Him are child-angels; one on the left hides his face
against the bosom of his Creator, as though shielding himself from the
harmful light of the moon. In the same space on the left God is seen
turning to create the trees and plants of the earth, painted with such art
that wherever you turn He appears to turn away also, showing the whole of
the back down to the soles of His feet--a thing most beautiful, and which
shows what may be done by foreshortening. In the third space the great God
appears in the heavens, again with a company of angels, looking upon the
waters and commanding them to bring forth all those forms of life
nourished in that element, just as in the second He commands the earth. In
the fourth is the creation of Man. God is seen with arm and hand stretched
forth as if giving His commandments to Adam, what to do and what not to
do; with His other arm He draws His angels about Him. In the fifth is how
He drew woman from the side of Adam. She comes forth with her hands
joined, raising them in prayer towards God, bending with gracious mien and
offering thanks as He blesses her. In the sixth is how the Devil tempted
man. From the middle upwards the wicked one is of human form, and the rest
of him like unto a serpent, his legs transformed into tails winding around
a tree. He seems to reason with the man and persuade him to act contrary
to the commands of his Creator, and he offers the forbidden apple to the
woman. On the other side of the spac