A Pokémon enthusiast recently showcased their creative spin on Michelangelo’s renowned painting, The Creation of Adam, infusing it with a unique Pokémon flair. This artistic reinterpretation envisions the profound act of Arceus, the mythical creator of the Pokémon universe, bringing Mew to life.
For those familiar with Pokémon lore, Mew holds a special place as it was originally introduced in Pokémon Red and Blue as a creature possessing the DNA of every Pokémon, leading many to see it as the ancestor of all Pokémon. However, later developments in the series crowned Arceus as the ultimate creator of the universe. This inspired the artist to depict Mew as one of the initial creations of Arceus through this homage.
Reddit artist Cordio04 is behind this Pokémon-themed rendition of The Creation of Adam, a masterpiece painted in the 1500s that graces the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling. Dubbed The Creation of Mew, the artwork portrays Arceus extending a limb to touch Mew’s tail, capturing the playful and ethereal nature of Mew as it floats. This artistic choice cleverly nods to Mew’s carefree floating characteristic and celebrates Arceus’ divine role. Pokémon’s creators have always drawn inspiration from the real world for their characters and tales, making it quite apt for a fan to echo such an iconic Renaissance piece to honor Mew’s birth.
Although the artwork is impressive in its current form, Cordio04 has plans to expand it further. Drawing parallels with the original fresco, which includes multiple figures and rich symbolism, Cordio04 aims to enrich their piece by introducing the Lake Guardian Trio, Pokémon also created by Arceus. Fans have suggested including silhouettes of all Mythic and Legendary Pokémon on Arceus’ Life Plates, though Cordio04 is cautious about overcomplicating the image. They have hinted at a potential recoloring of these plates to subtly acknowledge various Legendary Pokémon, and another fan suggestion to incorporate the Creation Trio is under consideration by the artist.
The evolution of this artwork promises to be intriguing, especially as it touches on the heavily debated lore surrounding the Pokémon universe and its origins. Fans continue to discuss which Pokémon should rightfully be deemed the “first,” with some advocating for Bulbasaur, being first in the Pokédex, while others champion Rhydon, noted as the first conceptually designed Pokémon. Regardless, Cordio04’s tribute stands as a charming and clever nod to the timeless franchise.
