Creation of Adam; Slide 35
The other figures are male cherubs, male spirits who “bear up” god and represent his creative powers.
None of them allowed to tangle with God like Sophia, who is actually touching him. And she is the only female. Michelangelo camouflaged her somewhat – living in the Vatican he knew to be careful – so he disguised her among all the other figures.
You can see her breasts; so we know she’s not a male figure. Some said: that’s an effeminate male cherub –
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Creation of Adam, detail
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