Botticelli: Calumny of Apelles, 1497-98
Uffizi Gallery, Florence
- The commissioning of this work is in question
- Some sources suggest that the Florentian banker who oversaw the Papal mint
- Based off a description, by Lucian, of an ancient greek painting by Apelles (4th century BC) Allegory of Slander (calumny)
- Lavishly decorated architectural backdrop contains classical reliefs of heroes and even heroine Judith in the far right;
- Last secular painting he would produce
Description:
- Two women Ignorance and Suspicion whisper in the large donkey ears of king Midas the unjust judge
- A woman with torch dragging guy by hair is the allegorical character Slander
- Young man gesturing as one would pray for the gods to prove his innocence
- Envy is the man in the tattered cloak with the sharp gaze, holding the hand of slander and extending an arm at king Midas
- Deceit and fraud are accompanying slander, dressing her up, fixing her hair
- The old woman in the black cloak is penitence or remorse, who turns a stealthy gaze at truth, with shame shadowing her face
- Truth is a naked figure seemingly left out, standing off alone pointing up towards heaven
Interpretations:
- May have been to comment of the Savonarola episode, culminating in 1498 execution;
- May have been done for personal enjoyment; Some sources suggest that he had meant the innocent man to be himself (after an anonymous accusation of sodomy that had been put forth about him)
No comments:
Post a Comment