Michelangelo exhibition brings Sistine Chapel masterpieces to Christchurch

Wednesday, 1 July 2026

Michelangelo – A Different View was exhibited at Tākina, in Wellington, last year. This summer it comes to Christchurch.

A Vatican-licensed exhibition featuring life-sized reproductions of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes will open in Christchurch this summer, giving New Zealanders a rare opportunity to view one of the world’s best-known artistic masterpieces up close.

Michelangelo – A Different View will run at Te Pae from December 18 to January 17. Organisers say it is the most complete and authentic reproduction of the Sistine Chapel ceiling to be exhibited outside the Vatican under licence from the Vatican Museums.

The exhibition includes more than 50 reproduced works, including an almost full-size 4.9m by 22m reproduction of The Genesis, allowing visitors to view the artwork from above rather than looking up at the ceiling as they would inside the Sistine Chapel.

Dr Chris Longhurst at the Michelangelo Exhibition at Tākina. Chris was a VIP tour guide for the exhibit in Wellington and will do so again in Christchurch this summer.

A 5.4m by 5.4m reproduction of The Last Judgment will also be displayed, alongside reproductions of 14 frescoes by Renaissance artists including Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Cosimo Rosselli.

Visitors will be able to examine many of the works from as close as 2m away while using an audio guide accessed through their own mobile devices.

The exhibition is being presented by The Stetson Group, which previously brought The Art of Banksy exhibitions to Christchurch last summer.

The Stetson Group promoters Stewart and Tricia Macpherson said the exhibition would allow visitors to appreciate details that are difficult to see inside the Vatican.

“Whilst some people have had the opportunity to visit the Sistine Chapel on a trip through Rome, none will have been able to see the detail of Michelangelo’s brilliant work 22m above their heads,” Stewart Macpherson said.

VIP guided tours will be led by theologian Dr Christopher Longhurst, who previously spent 21 years as an educational guide at the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums’ Papal Art Galleries.

Te Pae general manager Ross Steele said hosting the exhibition reinforced Christchurch’s position as a destination for arts and cultural events.

Stewart Macpherson is from the Stetson Group, bringing the exhibition back to New Zealand.

“We’re proud to welcome this extraordinary Michelangelo exhibition to Te Pae Christchurch this summer, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience one of history’s greatest artistic legacies in an immersive and contemporary way.”

Early bird tickets are on sale now from stetsongroup.com. Entry is free for children aged 12 and under when accompanied by an adult.