15113. THE BRAZEN SERPENT IMAGE IN MICHELANGELO'S SISTINE CHAPEL. This essay explores the iconography of the Brazen Serpent image, with special reference to the location of the scene in the overall decoration of the ceiling, the liturgical significance of the image in Biblical and Church history, and the patronage of this stage of the work, which compelled its placement in the overall iconography of the chapel's decoration. The paper argues that the Brazen Serpent presents a doubled-edged symbol suggesting both fear and prudence. KEYWORDS: michaelangelo sistine chapel brazen serpent iconography. Chicago Parenthetical Style. 9 pages, 22 footnotes, 10 bibliographic sources.