I think you will find that Michelangelo didn't paint the Sistine chapel lying on his back.

Well in the 15th century life was tough if you wanted to be a painter. There was no unemployment benefit or even a job seekers allowance. If you wanted to become a painter you had to find a patron or a commission. In those days very few people could read or write, so when the church wanted to 'spread the news' they couldn't just hand out flyers, and books were incredibly expensive to produce. But paintings were ideal. You could get frescos, alter pieces and canvas paintings all knocked up that would bring bible stories to life and capture the imagination of the general public. So many patrons were in fact bishops or clergy of some description, and most commissions were for churches (or perhaps the odd noble / royalty portrait). At any rate, it was extremely competitive to to become an accepted artist in those days. Far more so than now. I don't think many patrons would have been happy with a pile of bricks, a whole cow in a glass container of formaldehyde, or a large canvass simply painted red.

So you can argue that even artists are highly competitive. Although I would have to admit, just like calling Phil Taylor a sportsman, it's stretching it a bit.

I think you will find he did, at the top of wooden scaffold that he had erected for the job.

I've known a few girls around Warrington who have spent many hours of physical exertion lying on their back; doesn't mean I'll be nominating them for next year's Sports Personality of the Year.

Why would he paint on his back, when the ceiling is curved?

You've been watching too many Charlton Heston films.

Colin Montgomerie, who was one of the worlds best golfers for many years, once described himself as 'an athlete'. Whatever your thoughts on Phil Taylor, he has never made a remark as ridiculous as that.

You have returned from your Autumn hibernation in a distinctly mischievous mood.

Using cardboard boxes lest over from Xmas I have constructed a segment of the Sistine chapel in my attic, and I can assure you it is relatively simple to paint it whilst lying down owing to the very gentle radius of curvature.

Quote Winslade's Offload="Winslade's Offload"You have returned from your Autumn hibernation in a distinctly mischievous mood. Using cardboard boxes lest over from Xmas I have constructed a segment of the Sistine chapel in my attic, and I can assure you it is relatively simple to paint it whilst lying down owing to the very gentle radius of curvature.'" I'd rather talk about anything, but darts.................Google to the rescue. arthistory.about.com/od/famous_p ... eiling.htm

Quote Winslade's Offload="Winslade's Offload"You have returned from your Autumn hibernation in a distinctly mischievous mood. Using cardboard boxes lest over from Xmas I have constructed a segment of the Sistine chapel in my attic, and I can assure you it is relatively simple to paint it whilst lying down owing to the very gentle radius of curvature.'" I'd rather talk about anything, but darts.................Google to the rescue. arthistory.about.com/od/famous_p ... eiling.htm

He had a good go last week when talking about darts as an Olympic sport. Mind you, it was Clive Woodward who started it! Seb Coe would turn in his grave (once he's dead).

Quote Builth Wells Wire="Builth Wells Wire"I'd rather talk about anything, but darts.................Google to the rescue. arthistory.about.com/od/famous_p ... eiling.htm'" Well, I will have to eat humble pie. It looks as though you are absolutely correct. That's another myth gone. I am going off to sulk now.

Quote Builth Wells Wire="Builth Wells Wire"I'd rather talk about anything, but darts.................Google to the rescue. arthistory.about.com/od/famous_p ... eiling.htm'" Well, I will have to eat humble pie. It looks as though you are absolutely correct. That's another myth gone. I am going off to sulk now.

I don't see the massive distinction between darts and archery...

The bow used by archers is quite distinct from the (strong)bow that darts drink instead of lucozade.