The inspiration for this piece was a conversation with an elderly relative who had just returned from a trip to Italy. They recounted their visit to the Vatican, where they saw Michelangelo's famous frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. As they described the experience of standing beneath these towering works of art, the author was struck by the idea that great art can transcend time and space, speaking to us across centuries and cultures. This idea stayed with them long after the conversation ended, and inspired them to write this piece about the enduring power of art.