12/14/2023 0 Comments Way to the woods gandArtists like Filippino Lippi, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Luca Signorelli and Leonardo da Vinci were so struck by the detailed naturalism and the brilliant effect of the oil technique used by Van der Goes, that they included references to this masterpiece in their paintings. Van der Goes’s masterpiece – in its day the largest Flemish work of art on display in the city – inspired huge curiosity and admiration. The work completed the cycle with Life of the Virgin scenes and images of saints painted by Domenico Veneziano, Andrea del Castagno and Alesso Baldovinetti. After a sea and river odyssey, it reached Florence on and was placed on the high altar at Chiesa di Sant'Egidio, adjoining Santa Maria Nuova hospital which had been founded in the 13th century by Folco Portinari and was under the family’s patronage. ![]() Van der Goes died in 1482 and the triptych was sent to Florence thanks to the financial support of banker Niccolò di Giovanni Capponi, who stepped in to replace Tommaso Portinari, by then in financial difficulty. Jesus is also the saviour of the pagans, in the person of the Magi, who came from distant lands to worship him (in the background of the right hand door). The ‘holy scene’ is depicted as a popular representation erniched with a lot of symbolic and erudite references whose eloquence is underlined by the figures of the shepherds, the people excluded by the society of the time and redeemed by the coming of Christ, present in the scene as a naked baby lying on the floor, but shinning with is own light ( Lux mundi). This extraordinary event, celebrated by Christians at Christmas, was depicted by Hugo van der Goes in the Portinari Triptych with great ability and profusion of details, helping us to take of part in the holy event, just like the donors presented on the triptych’s side panels. In Christian culture the coming of the Messiah, the Son of God becoming man, opened a new era, a new beginning for the universe, a source of renewal and hope. (from the Gospel of St Luke, 2, 8-12, King James Bible). And this shall be a sign unto you Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ![]() For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ![]() And the angel said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
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