adoration of the magi

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  • Created by: harriet.o
  • Created on: 11-05-15 09:55

Meduim

Medium 

  • Painted in egg tempera on panel with gold leaf. 
  • The surface details are jewel like and in places actually raised above the surface of the painting. These raised areas are gilded and also adorned with semi-precious stones 
  • The rich colours and profusion of Gold Leaf would reflect the candle light of a darkened chapel and focus the attention of the observers in prayerful devotion and mediation during the mass. 
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Medium

Medium 

  • Painted in egg tempera on panel with gold leaf. 
  • The surface details are jewel like and in places actually raised above the surface of the painting. These raised areas are gilded and also adorned with semi-precious stones 
  • The rich colours and profusion of Gold Leaf would reflect the candle light of a darkened chapel and focus the attention of the observers in prayerful devotion and mediation during the mass. 
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Medium

Medium 

  • Painted in egg tempera on panel with gold leaf. 
  • The surface details are jewel like and in places actually raised above the surface of the painting. These raised areas are gilded and also adorned with semi-precious stones 
  • The rich colours and profusion of Gold Leaf would reflect the candle light of a darkened chapel and focus the attention of the observers in prayerful devotion and mediation during the mass. 
3 of 6

Proportion

Proportion 

  • Mary is sitting down- if she were to stand up she would be far taller than any of the figures (elongated)- therefore we can say her size in the painting is based on her symbolic status rather the a desire for accurate realism- she is the tallest because she is the most important figure in the painting (apart from Christ) the Kings offer gold to Mary as The Strozzi offer their wealth to the Church- partly in recompense for the sin of usury as bankers. The Strozzi are making amends to the church by identifying themselves with The Magi. 
  • The cavalcade in the back ground is too large to enter the city of Jerusalem- they are painted larger than life size in proportional relation to the city gates so we can see the figures. 
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Proportion

Proportion 

  • Mary is sitting down- if she were to stand up she would be far taller than any of the figures (elongated)- therefore we can say her size in the painting is based on her symbolic status rather the a desire for accurate realism- she is the tallest because she is the most important figure in the painting (apart from Christ) the Kings offer gold to Mary as The Strozzi offer their wealth to the Church- partly in recompense for the sin of usury as bankers. The Strozzi are making amends to the church by identifying themselves with The Magi. 
  • The cavalcade in the back ground is too large to enter the city of Jerusalem- they are painted larger than life size in proportional relation to the city gates so we can see the figures. 
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Gentile da Fabriano Adoration of the Magi 1423

Patronage 

Location: Painted in Florencenow in the Uffizi 

Commissioned: by the Strozzi family for their family chapel in Sacristy of the Church of Santa Trinita in Florence.  so prayers were said for them.

  • Strozzi where rich bankers in Florence ( competitors with the Medici family). Palla Strozzi was said to be richest men in Florence at the time. He tried to eliminate Cosimo Medici by having him arrested and executed. Cosimo was exiled but then returned to Florence in 1434 and in turn exiled the Strozzi family.
  • Palla Strozzi is in painting, portrayed in the painting with his son behind the youngest king. This ref to Palla Strozzi in this context shows that he considers him an associate of friend to kings and princes. 
  • Strozzi are advertising their noble lineage and importance - one of the oldest and noblest families in Florence (against the Medici family as considered to be social upstarts). The courtly life style and aspirations of the Strozzi family are suggested by the exotic collection of animals, hunting dogs and hawks. The medieval code of chivalry is ref to in the figure kneeling to remove the spurs of one of the Kings.   
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