Life Through Christ

The Creation of the World and Expulsion from Paradise

Link: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/458971 

Artist: Giovanni di Paolo

Date: 1445

Medium: tempera and gold on wood

Dimensions: 18.75in. x 20.5in.

Object Number: 1975.1.31

 

Object Label:

This painting is meant to be di Paolo’s depiction of the moment that the fall took place and Adam and Eve are fleeing the Garden of Eden. Creation and fall are both evident here and the depiction of the characters makes it very evident who is who. Both God and the angel have golden halos while Adam and Eve flee and Adam attempts to cover Eve’s nakedness. The big blue circle shows a fragmented world, clearly broken as a result of their sin. 

Madonna and Child with Saints Jerome and Agnes 

Link: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/458972

Artist: Giovanni di Paolo

Date: 1465

Medium: tempera on wood, gold ground

Dimensions: 12.5in. x 9.75 in.

Object Number: 1975.1.32

Object Label:

The Christ Child and Mary are the central figures in this work and in them comes the beginning of the redemption of mankind. Each figure has a halo, like God and the angel in the previous work. There is very little variation of color which really makes Mary’s dark cloak stand out. After the fall, the birth of Christ symbolizes the beginning of the story of Christ in the world and a crucial event in redemptive history. 

Saint Catherine of Siena Exchanging Her Heart with Christ

Link: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/438022

Artist: Giovanni di Paolo

Date: Unknown

Medium: tempera and gold on wood

Dimensions: 11.75in. x 9.5in.

Object Number: 1997.117.3

Object Label:

This image immediately struck me and became the image I have focused on for this semester. The gold in the halos in contrast to the almost monochromatic backdrop and the bleeding heart in her hand are hard to overlook. Of course by this time Christ has redeemed the world through his sacrifice but this image is just such a powerful example of the change that believing in Christ brings. She gives him her very heart and that is something so incredibly profound in this representation of her coming to faith.

The Miraculous Communion of Saint Catherine of Siena

Link: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436511 

Artist: Giovanni di Paolo

Date: Unknown

Medium: tempera and gold on wood

Dimensions: 11.5in. x 8.75in.

Object Number: 32.100.95

 

Object Label:

The continuation of the color scheme and use of gold continues to tie all of di Paolo’s works in this curated collection together. As Saint Catherine is taking part in communion seemingly with God himself, what appear to be flames engulf her. This image is, like the last, pointing to the redeeming work of Christ and the severity of it. Now that she has exchanged her heart with Christ, His presence and spirit surrounds her as she takes part in communion with Him. 

The Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine of Siena

Link: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/438021 

Artist: Giovanni di Paolo

Date: Unknown

Medium: tempera and gold on wood

Dimensions: 12in. x 12in.

Accession Number: 1997.117.2

 

Object Label:

Like the past two images, the unity is prevalent in this piece as well with the continuing redemption and consummation narratives of Saint Catherine. This work uses by far the most amount of gold, marking the holiness and importance of this event. Along with exchanging her heart and taking part in communion, she gives her very life to Christ in the covenant of marriage. It appears that she has broke through to be able to see heaven and take part in the life of Christ there. 

Paradise

Link: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436512 

Artist: Giovanni di Paolo

Date: 1445

Medium: tempera and gold on canvas, transferred from wood

Dimensions: 18.5in. x 16in.

Accession Number: 06.1046

 

Object Label:

This work is a reflection of di Paolo’s perception of heaven itself, which is the consummation of the narrative of Christ. The use of the color white, a garden in the background, and the glowing figure in the top right corner are just a few of the many choices that stand out to me in his depiction. It ties back to the Garden of Eden and the glowing figure to the halos which now encompass the entire being.