Botticelli's "Punishment of Korah"

1. In his art he  withdrew from the world around him and moved away from the physical vitality found in the works of Pollaiuolo & Verrocchio
2. Style: emphasizes contour and line in complex compositions; dramatic intensity as opposed to the gentleness of his other pieces
3.  Date: 1481-82; Sistine Chapel, Vatican, Rome; Commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere
4.  This piece narrates how these three men challenged Aaron’s right to the high priesthood; when they assumed his role by offering incense to the Lord, they were swallowed up by the earth (Numbers 16:1-40)
5. This unusual subject would appeal to patron interested in asserting his power (papal authority); The fresco carries stories concerning Moses from left to right; Opposite of Perugino’s “Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter”
6. Left: the earth opens up; only 2 figures are shown; one must have already vanished? And flames are arising to consume them; Center: 6 figures offering false fire to the Lord are consumed by fire from heaven; Right: Moses seeks refuge from the seditious Israelites that tried to stone him
7. Inscription: from St. Paul to his representation of the Arch of Constantine in Rome “And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Hebrews 5:4)
8. Narrative: prefigures the mission of the Roman Church, esp. as Aaron wears a papal tiara in reference to the patron

-Shannon Sutton