For the ceiling, just a bit over 4 years. That was the time from start to finish. But during that time Michelangelo was absent for at least two long periods. Then came the "Last Judgement", which took 6 years.
It took Michelangelo about four years to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling, from 1508 to 1512.
6 years
It took Michelangelo 4 years to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He painted it between 1508 and 1512. Then it took him 6 years to paint the Last Judgement, which is a fresco on the wall of the altar of the Sistine Chapel. Painted between 1535-1541.
He did not actually build the Sistine Chapel, he only painted the ceiling. He was forced to paint it by the nobles, king, and some middle class people of the time. He was very reluctant to take on such a challenge, but he did complete it, allegedly blind in the end.
The Sistine Chapel! OK?!Michelangelo started painting the ceiling in1508 and finished it in 1512. He was away from this work some time.Michelangelo then painted the altar wall of the chapel between 1535 and 1541.
5 years
It seems he did. The commission was from 1506. But what MIchelangelo did before starting work in 1508 we do not know.
2 years
The conclave took place in the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican.
The Sistine Chapel, designed by Baccio Pontelli, took almost eleven years to build (1473 to 1484) under the supervision of Giovannino de Dolci for Pope Sixtus IV.
The Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV (1471-1484) who had the old Cappella Magna restored between 1477 and 1480. The Chapel is a Catholic church in which any Catholic rite like Mass, marriage, baptism may take place. In addition, the Conclave for the election of a new Pope is held in the Chapel. Pope John Paul II spoke of the Sistine Chapel: "Precisely here, in this sacred space, the Cardinals gather, awaiting the manifestation of the will of Christ with regard to the person of the Successor of St Peter. And here, in a spirit of obedience to Christ and trusting in his Mother, I accepted the election that sprung from the Conclave, declaring my readiness to serve the Church." http://vaticanart.net/painting-of-the-sistine-ceiling
*Sistine ;) It took 4 years. 1508-1512