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The dynamic concept of Sandro Botticelli

Paulo Martins Oliveira
_______________________________________________________________________ Following and deepening recent developments presented by Flemish painters, who were exploring the potential of oil painting, several artists of the Italian Renaissance created complex works with multiple layers of meaning. One of the main experts in this protean method was Sandro Botticelli (ca.1445-1510), who superimposed images using compromise solutions, in order to encipher certain kinds of messages, such as criticisms about the high clergy. Besides his larger works (e.g. Primavera, The Birth of Venus, etc.), Botticelli also expressed that concept in smaller pictures, and a good example can be seen in the Christ Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane (Granada, Spain). Here, in a superficial layer, Jesus accepts His tragic destiny, symbolized by the chalice (Lk.22:42-43), while the apostles are sleeping (from left to right: Peter, John and James).

Sandro Botticelli Christ Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane

However, in a second layer of meaning, the same figures assume different interpretations, forming an underlying narrative.

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Thus, on the left, Peter is at the door of the Jewish court, where he denied knowing Christ three times (Mt.26:69-70).

Sandro Botticelli Christ Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane (det.)

A variant of this artifice was already materialized by the same Botticelli in The Birth of Christ (Florence), in which Peter (in the role of Joseph1) is also at the door of the inquisitorial court, represented by the abnormal saddle.

The saddle in The Birth of Christ represents an entrance, like the one that Botticelli depicted in the Annunciation of San Marino della Scalla (Florence, detail on the right).

Other examples illustrating the guilty Peter (i.e. the papacy), by Botticelli, Signorelli and Bosch.

1 The relatively neutral figure of Joseph was often used to subtly introduce either symbolic self-portraits of painters, or censurable Peters (the papacy).
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Continuing the analysis of the work today in Granada, next to Peter there is a healthy tree, which symbolizes that Christs martyrdom has not yet really begun. On the other side, unlike Peter, James the Greater has a positive connotation, and here he expresses the grief of Mary Magdalene at the base of the cross. This trimmed tree also represents the torture and the agony that Jesus had suffered in the meantime. Once again, Sandro Botticelli created a symbolic link with other works, in this case by adapting the picture usually known as Crucifixion with Penitent Magdalene and Angel (U. Harvard).

det. (Granada)

det. (U. Harvard)

At the centre of the painting in Granada, John (Christs favourite apostle) plays the role of the dead Jesus, while the plant immediately behind represents the Virgin Mary, creating the suggestion of a Piet.

det. (Granada)

Sandro Botticelli Lamentation over the dead Christ (det.)

Behind all these figures, the fence marks the separation between the world of the living and the world of the dead.

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So, on the other side, the resurrected Messiah has already left the tomb and now returns the chalice, after having fulfilled His duty.

det. (Granada)

Christs wrists form an Andrews cross (saltire), which became a symbol commonly used by several artists to express criticisms regarding the Church of Peter (the Holy See). On the other hand, by presenting Jesus on top of a hill (having nearby Peter, John and James), this image also evokes the first transfiguration (Mk.9:2), as well as the final one, traditionally associated with the ascension of Christ to His Father, after the resurrection.

Example of an ascension/transfiguration Rembrandt The Ascension of Christ

As one can see, by superimposing narratives on the same image, Botticelli conceived a versatile piece of art, which is a telling example of his dynamic ingenuity. [2012]

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