Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Biblical Stories And A Dark Vision

 I start today with two panels of originally six that decorated a pair of wedding chests, done circa 1475. Sandro Botticelli was responsible for the overall design of the six, and delegated portions to a student, Filippino Lippi. At top we have Esther At The Palace Gate, From The Book Of Esther, by Lippi. Botticelli did The Triumph Of Mordecai, From The Book Of Esther.


It's not all about biblical influences in old art. Mythology shows up as well. This is An Allegory Of Civilization by Piero Di Cosimo, dating circa 1490.


A view along one of the side corridors.


This comes from the workshop of Giovanni Bellini. Blessing Christ dates to circa 1500.


While here we have mythology personified. Venus dates to around 1518, and is by Lucas Cranach the Elder, portraying the goddess of love.


An unsettling, dark vision is nearby. Eve, The Serpent, And Death dates to around 1510-15, and is by Hans Baldung Grien.

32 comments:

  1. The chest must have been beautiful. Nice selection of artwork
    Venus' feet are a mystery why they are not given the same beauty as the rest of her. It is similar to super models with claw like toes.

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  2. These painters were the photographers of their time. Without them we wouldn't know how people dressed, how they looked and how they lived.

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  3. If I have a vision, it is of Pierre Polièvre falling into a deep dark hole, never to climb out.

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  4. Beautiful art work! Take care, have a great day!

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  5. ...the side corridor is lovely.

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  6. I see the date 1490 but it is hard to comprehend something from that time. It always amazes me!

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  7. What a treat - I shall never forget the time that I first saw two of his most famous paintings La Primavera and The Birth of Venus in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence.

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  8. Those poor artists who were pretty well forced to paint biblical art.

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  9. @Maywyn: thank you.

    @Gattina: that is true.

    @David: that's a good vision.

    @Eileen: thanks.

    @Tom: I like doing that.

    @Marie: they're well preserved.

    @Rosemary: I would like to visit there.

    @Aritha: I think so too.

    @Francisco: thanks.

    @Anvilcloud: you went where the money was and back then the money was in religious art.

    @magiceye: definitely.

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  10. I like the Bellini. There was a ton of religious art back then. Not so much now, which is an interesting observation of the times.

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  11. Quite the religious display ~

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  12. The overall effect of this work in that gallery is lovely, William.

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  13. Fascinating art! Some are new to me.

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  14. @Sharon: very much so.

    @Jeanie: the church paid big for art.

    @Carol: thank you.

    @RedPat: it is.

    @Denise: some are well known to me.

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  15. Maravillosos cuadros de un gran pintor

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  16. I remember seeing wooden carvings that were in early churches. Some of theme were in very poor condition but were significant.

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  17. This museum houses some important and beautiful art.

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  18. Interesting. I wonder how Eve stayed so pale, living outdoors in a garden.

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  19. These paintings are fantastic. Classic style paintings with provocative themes.

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  20. Beautiful paintings. Talented artists.

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