Adoration of the Magi (Gentile da Fabriano)
Adoration of the Magi | |
---|---|
Artist | Gentile da Fabriano |
Year | 1423 |
Medium | Tempera on panel |
Dimensions | 300 cm × 282 cm (120 in × 111 in) |
Location | Uffizi Gallery, Florence |
The Adoration of the Magi is a painting by the Italian painter Gentile da Fabriano. The work, housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, is considered his finest work, and has been described as "the culminating work of International Gothic painting".[1]
The artwork was commissioned by the famous banker
Artist, patron, and provenance
The painting was commissioned by the Florentine literate and patron of the arts Palla Strozzi, at the arrival of the artist in the city in 1420. Palla paid 300 florins for the altarpiece [7] or about six times the annual salary of a skilled labourer.[8] According to Baldwin,[9] both Palla Strozzi and his father, Onofrio, appear in the painting − Palla as the man in the red hat in the forefront of the painting, and Onofrio as the falcon trainer situated behind the youngest king. According to other opinions, the falcon trainer depicts the commissioner Palla Strozzi with his eldest son Lorenzo to his right.[10][11] Finished in 1423, the painting was placed in the new chapel of the church of Santa Trinita which Lorenzo Ghiberti was executing in these years.
Description, materials, and techniques
The works shows both the international and
The choice of materials emphasized the importance of certain aspects of the painting. Mary's blue robe was painted using the extremely expensive color ultramarine, while other blue portions of the painting used an other, less expensive blue pigment.[3] The use of ultramarine shows the importance of Mary and its use emphasizes the brilliance of her robe. Gold was another valuable material used, in the technique of pastiglia as well as gold leaf.[3] The pastiglia technique transforms parts like the crowns, textiles, and spurs into three-dimensional objects due to the gold pieces added as relief in parts of the art work.[3] Silver was also an additional material used to add dimension to the artwork as it was raised off the surface of the painting.[13]
The artist utilized artistic techniques throughout the painting, some of which are particularly notable in the predella.[4] Naturalistic lighting in both the foreground and the background of the painting creates a sense of visual continuity within the painting.[2][4] Depth and depiction of three-dimensional figures bring the artwork to life and help to define space.[4] Gentile also depicted the faces of the figures with varying facial expressions with a high amount of detail, which was not commonly done by earlier artists.[2] The altarpiece was bejeweled in order to emphasize the patron's wealth.[13] Gentile employs lighter brush strokes creating softer fur, leaves, fabrics, and shadows than other painters during his time.[13] The use of pastiglia created a separation between the thin metals that were added into the altarpiece and the paint in order to add a sense of three-dimensionality.[13]
Architectural frame
The frame is also a work of art in itself, characterized by three cusps with
The frame of the Adoration of the Magi is a Gothic design structure with impressive craftsmanship.[5] It reflects the International Gothic style of Florence with its thin, spiral columns and a composition made up of three main geometric, ornamental arches described as "mixtilineal" (but better known as a lambrequin arch).[5] The influence of Lorenzo Ghiberti is linked to the design of the frame due to his use of similar architectural motifs and designs in his sculptures created for the Orsanmichele in Florence. For example, in the Calamala niche for the sculpture of Saint John the Baptist, Ghiberti employed lambrequin arches to frame the central subject.[5] Gentile's altarpiece includes three of these lambrequin arches atop the painting.[5] These arches on the frame of the painting, like the ones in the Calamala niche, are both surrounded with decorative ornamentation.[5] Other elements of the frame's design relate to the Calamala niche including spiral columns that add beauty to the piers on the inner sides of the frame.[5] An architectural detail of the frame that differs from the Calamala niche but relates to the main entrance portals of the Orsanmichele, is the inclusion of a tondo that has been placed beneath each arch, and is therefore seen three times at the top of each lambrequin arch in Gentile's frame.[5] Elements that stand out in the frame's columns is not only the ornamentation and geometric patterns, but also the delicacy and richness.[5] There is even a rare feature of painted flowers on some of the piers further emphasizing Gentile's detailed craftsmanship.[3][15] The frame is also characterized with polychromy, gold, and silver, all of which offer an astonishing and brilliant effect.[5]
Influences and signs of the Orient
Exotic animals
Exotic animals are included in the altarpiece because they were a sign of wealth and connection, and also spurred the curiosity of Europeans.[19] Additionally, they hold greater purpose to help the imagery depict an aura of the Orient in order to establish a Middle Eastern setting for the work.[3] Foreign, exotic animals such as camels were given as gifts, monkeys were collected, and lions and leopards were trained for purposes such as hunting.[3] All of these non-European animals can be found in the painting. Other animals that are included in the artwork are: falcons, leopards and dogs.[3] Dogs depicted in the painting can be connected to classical antiquity since dogs were commonly depicted in Greco-Roman arts such as Roman sarcophagi.[20] The inclusion of a falcon was very intentional and significant because it has been linked to Persian and Arabian tradition and culture.[3] Falcons were also used for hunting sport and was seen as a sign of nobility, since kings used falcons as the choice of bird for hunting.[19] Palla Strozzi, the patron, is also painted in the image holding a falcon, and the purpose of this was to not only signify his status but also serves as a visual pun, since the term "falconer" translates to Strozzieri in the Tuscan dialect.[5] Another falcon in the painting is situated just below in the middle of arch and is shown flying and spreading its wings. The falcon likely symbolizes chivalry, and within religious works such as this, can even evoke the Holy Spirit.[21]
Pseudo-Arabic inscriptions
Arabic writing was admired for its luxuriousness and exotic qualities.
Islamic textiles, dress, and fabrics
The style of dress and fabrics that clothe the individual figures in the Adoration of the Magi, especially the three magi, is incredibly decorative comprising rich patterns with elements of gold and floral designs.[3] Italian textiles during the Renaissance as shown in the altarpiece display a new taste for floral designs, and contain Oriental patterns and elements including ogival and fluctuating stem patterns.[6] The clothing worn included expensive and highly desired materials such as silks, velvet, brocades, and damasks.[3] These sumptuous style of dress draws upon the luxury textiles purchased and spread through the international luxury trade network.[6] The textiles worn by the magi signify the Orient origins of not only the magi, but of the overall biblical scene to evoke the holy land.[3] Islamic textiles also signify status and rank since this kind of clothing was in high demand and expensive.[6] The magi Caspar is shown dressed in a dark tunic contrasted against the a pattern of gold pomegranates that symbolize rebirth in a Christian context and were associated with the Orient.[3] The outfits of the other magi including Melchior and Balthazar, also include gold, silver, and detailed floral designs.[3] Some men are shown wearing turbans that not only bring about the idea of the three kings coming from the Orient, but also creates a more exotic Middle Eastern setting.[3] The types of dress are used to distinguish between the magi and the holy family.
Furthermore, the magi and their followers are wearing extravagant robes that are covered with patterns and designs.[25] By contrast, Mary is depicted wearing a deep blue robe that covers the other parts of her wardrobe. Around her head she wears an intricately detailed black and white shawl with geometric patterns.[25] Jesus is shown clothed in a white tunic that is detailed with gold.[25]
References
- ISBN 978-0500203729.
- ^ ISBN 0801413605.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Gentile da Fabriano, Adoration of the Magi (reframed) – Smarthistory". smarthistory.org. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-884446-05-4.
- ^ S2CID 191399839.
- ^ OCLC 718511284.
- ISBN 0719549264.
- ISBN 9780306817564.
- ^ Baldwin, Robert (2007). "GENTILE DA FABRIANO (c. 1390-1427): International Style and Court Culture" (PDF). Social History of Art, by Robert Baldwin.
- ^ Palazzo Strozzi Archived 2012-11-03 at the Wayback Machine (pdf;1,39 MB)
- ^ Ingeborg Walter, Die Strozzi: Eine Familie im Florenz der Renaissance, Beck Munic 2011, p. 27
- ^ Discovering the great masters: the art lover's guide to understanding symbols in paintings. 2010-07-01.
- ^ a b c d e "Gentile da Fabriano, Adoration of the Magi – Smarthistory". smarthistory.org. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
- ^ S2CID 191391320.
- ^ a b c "Adoration of the magi by Gentile da Fabriano | Artworks | Uffizi Galleries". www.uffizi.it. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
- ^ "Gentile da Fabriano - Adoration of the Magi, 1423". 13 March 2018. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- ^ Geraghty, Ian. "Recent History of Framing". Retrieved 2021-01-31.
- ^ Kanter, Laurence B.; Bisacca, George. "Italian Renaissance Frames". Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
- ^ a b Boehm, Barbara Drake; Holcomb, Melanie (2001). "Animals in Medieval Art". Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
- JSTOR 1483153.
- ISSN 0009-4978.
- ^ Mack 2001, pp. 65–66.
- ^ OCLC 1050039882.
- S2CID 157408917.
- ^ a b c Brooke, Ruby (Spring 2018). "Gentile da Fabriano's Adoration of the Magi: Iconographic Influences of Decorative Arts from the Islamic World". Bard Undergraduate Senior Projects – via Bard Digital Commons.
Sources
- Mack, Rosamond E. (2001). Bazaar to piazza : Islamic trade and Italian art, 1300-1600. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-22131-1.
External links
- http://www.slideshare.net/valdesjm/u4-romanesque-2893691?next_slideshow=2
- Laetitiana Educational Video explaining the painting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HccA2Hobzvk