Abstract
Among the frescos of the Sistine Chapel ceiling the so-called "Ignudi" has never been fully brought to light about their existence or raison d'etre. Condivi did not refer to their meaning. Even Vasari treated them only as "Ignudi". Some scholars even reduced them to mere decorative function. Instead I assume that the five groups of the four nudes seem to personify the four allegorical figures as attempted in the Medici Chapel. The first group around the scene of "Creation of light and darkness" symbolizes the four phases of a Day. The second surrounding the scene of "Separation of the sky and the water", represents the four Elements. The three other groups belonging to the earlier period, respectively represent the four allegorical figures ; in the scene of "Creation of Eve", the four temperaments ; in the scene of "Sacrifice of Noah", four senses ; and in the "Mockery of Noah by his sons", the four seasons. The thorough examination of their arrangement and forms together with similar popular practices in his contemporaries results in affirmation of the above-mentioned assumption.
