The painting by Francesco Botticini entitled “The Madonna Adoring the Child” was created approximately in 1470 in Italy, Florence. It is made in the technique of the tempera on the panel. The choice of the religious subject depicting the Madonna and Jesus as the child was typical for the Italian Renaissance period. It is possible to state that the topic and the ways of representing the scene are specific to 15th-century European art.
The subject of the painting is the representation of the mother’s love that Madonna feels for her sleeping infant. The narrative sequence in this artwork depicts the coming of the Lord, who bathes Christ, the child at the moment, in the heavenly light. In the background, John the Baptist kneels with his prophetic reed cross while looking upward, searching for the divine presence. The figures are depicted in a naturalistic, open landscape, but their proportions are unrealistic. The painter uses the perspective to emphasize that child and Madonna are more critical in the work than John the Baptist, the shepherd, and even God the Father. The figures show the moment of worshiping Jesus, who was born recently, as is shown in the painting.
The composition could be more balanced, and the figures of Madonna and her son in the front part of the painting draw attention immediately. Is the work neatly contained within its borders? The composition forms a specific shape where the woman’s figure is central, while other figures and the land space have less meaning. The composition size is 32 1/2 x 21 1/2 inches, which is not monumental. The figures are under life-sized, but their sense is still unaffected by their size, and the painting depicts the biblical scene allegorically.
- Color:
- How does the artist use color?
- What specific areas draw your gaze because of the use of color?
- Be descriptive about the use of color, rather than making a list of colors used. For instance, instead of stating that red has been used, describe how the color is used (i.e. The form is covered in brilliant reds.).
- How important is color to the entire composition? Is the color naturalistic?
- Is it expressive?
- How does color affect the overall mood and message of the piece?
- Texture:
- Is the surface of the object smooth or rough?
- Why has the artist chosen this specific texture?
- Depth:
- Is there a clear illusion of depth?
- How does the artist deal with space?
- How is the viewer meant to perceive space?
- Does the viewer’s space interact with the space of the artwork?
- Lighting:
- Describe the lighting and its source. Is there a clear source of light or does it seem to come from a variety of locations?
- What areas of the work are highlighted and which are covered in shadow?
- How does this affect your ability to decipher figures and space?
- Does the use of light direct your eye to specific areas or figures in the work?
- How would different lighting change the meaning?
- If you have chosen sculpture, how does light affect the surface and interact with the texture?
- Line:
- Does the artist use a clear, well-defined line or is the use of line hazy and undefined?
- Is there any outline at all?
- Is there a lot of detail or is the detail ambiguous or non-existent?
- Are contours hard-edged and clear or soft and less defined?
- How does the use of line affect the appearance of forms and the overall message of the work?
- Style:
- How does this artist’s work fit within its stylistic period?
- Drawing from your text and what we have learned in class, describe the major aspects of the work that correlate with the specific traits of a time period or style (i.e. High Renaissance, Dutch Baroque, Romanticism, etc.)
- Artistic Intent:
- What is the artist trying to say?
- Is there an overarching theme or symbolic context that the artist is providing?
- What is it? How does it change the meaning and/or impact of the work?
Conclusion
Based on your description sum up the main ideas about your chosen artwork. How does this object conform to what you know about the period?
How is it representative of its time and place?
Link the topic(s) in your conclusion to the goal(s) presented in your introduction. (3 points)