June 27th, 2015

Giovanni di Paola (Italian, 1400-1482), "Creation of the World and Expulsion from Paradise" (1445, tempera & gold on wood, 18.25 x20.5 inches).

 This little gem is in the Met (NY). Giovanni kept the style of the earlier medieval artists, concentrating on mysticism.

Image on the right is a detail from the piece, showing a naked angel "escorting" Adam & Eve out of Paradise. It was unusual to depict an angel naked and in human form! Theories suggest that it symbolizes the angel's deep compassion for mankind's corrupted state (after the fall from grace).

Click on images to enlarge.