PICTURI

THE ABYSS OF HELL

This is Botticelli's chart of Hell as described by Dante in his 14th century
epic poem Inferno. Dante saw Hell as an abyss, a giant cave leading to
the center of Earth. The cave was created when God cast Lucifer out of
Heaven. Lucifer is stuck in the center, caught in ice.

In the story Dante describes his journey through Hell, which he made
together with his friend the poet Virgil. Descending, they pass nine rings,
representing categories of sins.

The first five rings are for people who could not control their desires:
lust, gluttony, greed, anger and revenge. Also, unbaptized souls and
decent heathens dwell here. Rings six and seven are for heresy and
violence: murderers, suicides, blasphemers, and sodomites. Rings eight
and nine are for fraud and treachery. Here dwell witches, thieves,
astrologers, seducers, corrupt politicians, alchemists and sowers of
discord. An interesting detail is that Dante describes meeting the founder
of Islam, Muhammad, in that ring. Dante and many of his contemporaries
viewed Islam as an off-shoot from Christianity.

BIBLE ART

CAIN AND ABEL TINTORETTO

Tintoretto was a follower of Michelangelo and Titian. He

painted in a style called mannerism, which followed after
the Renaissance. The figure of Abel in this painting shows
some resemblance to the Abel in Titian's depiction of Cain
and Abel.

THE FIRST MOURNING

BOUGUEREAU (1888)
This work depicts the moment after Adam and Eve just found
the body of their son Abel, who was murdered by Cain. This is
the first human death recorded in the Bible.
William-Adolphe Bouguereau had suffered the loss of his second
son shortly before painting this work.
Its original name is "Premier Deuil", in French, of which "The
First Mourning" is a literal translation.

CAIN SLAYING HIS BROTHER

PETER PAUL RUBENS (1600)

Cain Slaying Abel was probably made to advertise Rubens'

abilities to potential patrons. This may explain his use of oak
with some poorer quality sapwood for the panel. Rubens seems
to have worked quickly not wasting time on areas of the painting
which would be less visible, such as Cain's back.

EXPULSION FROM EDEN

GIOVANNI DI PAOLO
This extraordinary panel is widely admired for its brilliant colours,
curious iconography, and mystical vitality At the left, God the Father,
supported by 12 blue cherubim, flies downward, pointing with his right
hand at a circular "mappamondo", which fills the lower half of the scene.
The representation of earth is surrounded by concentric circles, including
a green ring (for water), a blue ring (for air), a red ring (for fire), the
circles of the seven planets, and the circle of the Zodiac. On the right, in
a separate scene set in a meadow filled with flowers, Adam and Eve walk
to the right against a line of seven trees with golden fruit. Their heads
turn back toward a naked angel, who expels them from Paradise. Below
them spring the four rivers of Paradise, which extend to the base of the
picture.

PETER PAUL RUBENS

Este cel mai renumit pictor flamand. Viaa lui Rubens pare s fi fost guvernat de o
inepuizabil energie. n decurs de patruzeci de ani, artistul picteaz cca. 1400
tablouri i execut sute de desene. Este primit cu cldur att n cercurile celor mai
de seam artiti din Europa, ct i la curile princiare. In ultimii ani din viata,
Rubens se concentreaza asupra temelor mitologice.
Picturi importante :

Coborarea lui Isus de pe Cruce

Rapirea fiicelor lui Leucip

Sosirea Mariei de Medici la Marsilia

Judecata lui Paris

Adam si Eva in Rai.

GIOVANNI DI PAOLO DI GRAZIA

Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia (c. 14031482) was an Italian painter, working primarily in
Siena. He may have apprenticed with Taddeo di Bartolo, becoming a prolific painter
and illustrator of manuscripts, including Dante's texts.
He was one of the most important painters of the 15th century Sienese School. His
early works show the influence of earlier Sienese masters, but his later style was
more individual, characterized by cold, harsh colours and elongated forms.
Picturi importante:

St Ansanus Baptizing

Raising of Lazarus

Madonna of Humillity

Madonna and Child with Saints