GIORGIONE - Tempest

GIORGIONE - Tempestuous Landscape with the Soldier and the Gypsy

Giorgi:
Giorgi “Zorzi” Barbarelli born on Venetian mainland and died of the plague
Described as given to worldly delights, great conversationalist, a great lover, and amazing lutist and singer
Pupil of Bellini - used landscape to convey mood and enhance meaning
Not much in Venice, so people were obsessed with landscape, nature and poetry


Subject of scholarly controversy
Who are these people? Why are they outside? Why is she nursing like that? Who is that soldier...? Whaaat?
So, lots of scholars tried to find literary connections, religious connections --

So, what is the paintings narrative? Or is there a narrative?
Many suggested that Giorgione was painting a mood
If that was the case, it would be a remarkable development in the history of Western art.
The bushes are shaggy, columns ruined, bridge about to collapse, storm’s a comin’ (lightning illuminates piece, cast shadow on bridge)… It just seems like a humid day
The storm being in the central axis demands our attention, is there meaning to that?
Some believe it’s a myth, others a Biblical illustration, a secular romance, an allegorical narrative and some believe it’s a subjectless piece he does to mess with the world... hm...
One incredibly believable argument is that it was inspired by Arcadia (landscape) and Sannazaro’s story of unrequited love [link to read story: Sannarazo's Story]

She asserts herself and her identity with the physical landscape - incredibly maternal figure and position
In Sannazaro’s story - he sends prayers to Mother Earth - connection? I think so.
Many other small connections between the painting and Sannarazo’s story

Can't know for sure -- there is still much controversy to this mysterious painting.


-Kelsey Masuda