The Portinari Altarpiece Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Portinari reredos - Essay ExampleThere ar discordant subjects in the painting as on the left-hand(a) is Tommaso Partinari, Saint Thomas, and Anthony Abbot, while the two sons of Tomasso, Pigello, and Antonio are kneeling down. The right empanel holds the images of Maria Maddalena Portinari, the wife of Tomasso and their first child, Margherita and alongside them is Saint Margaret of Antioch and Mary Magdalene. At the center of the art piece, Jesus is laying on the world while shepherds and angels are kneeling before Him (Levy, Macy & Van, 2012). At the center of the art piece, there are various objects and elements with symbolic importance as well as emblematic figures. The central panel represents the Adoration of savior as it depicts Mary in a deep prayer showing her acceptance of what her child impart persevere as the savior of humanity. Consequently, the Holy Family is revealed in Bethlehem in a manger with shepherds, animals, and angels as youngster Jesus lies on t he ground surrounded by an array of golden light. In the foreground, there are two urns of flowers and wheat that represent the Passion and Eucharist (Ridderbos, Hagopian, & McCormick, 2005). The wheat represents the Last Supper where Jesus severed the bread. The bloodless lilies characterizing the smaller vase embody the immaculate and purity conception of the Nazarene while the orange ones represent Christs Passion in his later life. Consequently, the second vase holds columbine and purple flowers that correspond to the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin. In the backdrop of the left pane, Joseph and pregnant Mary are seen escaping to Egypt, while the background in central panel angels visit the Shepherds and on the right, the Three Magi are on their way to Bethlehem (Kleiner, 2012).