Guadalupe Pasillas

Professor LynchArt 106

Norton Simon MuseumBranchini MadonnaGiovanni di

Paolo

My visit to the Norton Simon Museum

I was surprised at how much I had! Before entering the museum I was skeptical, I thought it would be boring since it was my first time at a art museum. But in reality I enjoyed it. I was completely impressed with the beautiful art pieces the museum owns. Their art was detailed, elaborate and very well preserved. However, my favorite collection was the European collection from the fourteen to sixteen century. During my visit I defiantly grew respect for all artist because I would never be capable of creating such beautiful pieces. I was so astonish with the different collections and ended up spending three hours in the museum.

My Experience

After browsing the museum Idiscovered..

Artist: Giovanni di PaoloYear: 1427Media: Tempra and gold leaf on panel

Branchini Madonna

My favorite part of the Painting

Virgin Mary and Jesus Halo

Fabric Detail

The fabric on Jesus and Mary was impeccable. The gold fabric with red hues has a lot of detail which made it seem full of texture and realistic.

Both halos were beautiful however, Virgin Mary's halo had an abundance of detail. Giovanni di Paolo adorned the virgins halo with a message which blew me away. I felt it was a fresh idea which added charm to the painting.

My Interpretation

The use of gold leaf and detail made me fall in love with Giovanni di Paolo painting. I believe the women and baby wearing a halo is the virgin Mary and Jesus. The flowers and weeds on the floor have brought me to believe their on earth. However, the angels surrounding them show their regal both in heaven and earth.

After Researching both the Painting and Artist

and Artist• The piece

I discovered..

Giovanni di Paolo made the painting for the Branchini Family Chapel in the church of San Dominico in Sienna, Italy.

Who was painting made for?

Background on the artist

-Born in Sienna, Italy in 1403

- Died in 1482

- Renaissance Italian painter

- One of the most important artist of 15th century Sienese School

- His paintings were religious

- He was known for his surreal backgrounds

- His painting became popular during the 20th century

Giovanni di Paolo Artistic Career

It is believed that Giovanni di Paolo studied under Taddeo Di Barto. He worked as a panel painter an illuminator and did a few manuscript projects. He painted four alter pieces for the churches in San Dominico. His early works were very religious and slowly developed into an “expressive approach”. Many believe Giovanni di Paolo late work was not fresh and didn’t have enough quality. His style of painting was not popular during his life time however, his expressionist painting was appreciated more by expressionistic painters of the 20th century. These painters admire his decorative charm, crisp shapes and abstract backgrounds.

What was the Emphasis of the painting ?

Giovanni di Paolo wanted his painting to portray the virgin as humble, regal and maternal. He created a humble Madonna by painting her sitting on the ground surrounded by flowers. The virgins crown, halo and ermine cloak show Madonna as the queen of heaven. Giovanni depicted her maternal role by painting her holding Jesus foot. Giovanni di Paolo also painted her with her head tilted looking at Jesus to show her looking after her child and the Christian faith.

Symbols Within the Painting

-The drapery on Christ’s represents his Passion.

- The pomegranates symbolizes Jesus resurrection.

-Cornflowers symbolizes Christ in heaven.

- The Roses and marigolds refer to Virgin Mary.

Giovanni Di Paolo placed severalsymbolic items through his painting such as,

Secrete Message within the Painting

The artist adorned the Madonna’s halo with a message in Latin stating,” Protect oh Virgin the man who has painted thee”

St. John the Baptist Retiring to the Dessert

The Creation of the World and the Expulsion From Paradise

Art Work by Giovanni di Paolo

Giovanni di Paolo depicts Madonna and her child as regal human beings.

“Branchini Madonna” tells the story of a nurturing mother who loves and cares

for her baby. However, my first impression was that Mary and Jesus had

descended from heaven into earth. Nevertheless, I was very unsure about my

assumption . After researching the painting I found out the painter wanted to

portray Jesus and Madonna's humanistic roles while still maintaining their godly

appearance. While researching the artist I learned that he predominantly

focused on religious paintings. Learning this motivated me to search other

works created by Giovanni di Paolo such as “The Expulsion”, “St. John the Baptist

Retiring to the Dessert”. My interpretation of the painting has been refined after

learning about the painting and artist. Due to the knowledge I acquired I now

have informed questions to ask about the art. “Why did he want to portray

Madonna's maternal role? Why wasn’t his painting popular at the time?”

Works Cited

“Giovanni di Paolo.” International Dictionary of Art and Artist. Gale, 1990. Gale

Biography in Context. Web. 29 Mar. 2011<http://ic.galegroup.com/icc/bic1/ReferenceDetailsWindow>.

“Branchini Madonna.”(n.d.). Norton Simone Museum. Web. 30 Mar. 2011

<http://www.nortonsimon.org/collections/browse_title.php?id=F.1978.01.P>.