| Giovanni di Paolo: The Creation and the Expulsion from Paradise - 1445 |
The Creation of the World and the Expulsion from Paradise by Giovanni di Paolo was made during the Renaissance, in 1445 to be exact. Giovanni di Paolo was an Italian painter who was believed to be a deviant in the 15th century. Although during this period most painters in Tuscany were shifting towards classical humanism; however, this was not the case with Giovanni. He continued to create Gothic decorative paintings, as is the piece shown above.
The painting depicts two images. The left side shows us God the Father and an illustration of the universe as a globe. Earth is positioned in the center, with rings surrounding it which represent the four elements: earth, wind, fire, and water. In addition to the elements, the rings also represent the planets that were known at the time (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn), as well as the constellations of the zodiac. Of course, God is highlighted by a glowing light, to further emphasize his position as a seraphic being.
The right side shows us the Garden of Eden. The greenery and liveliness of the Garden represent the innocent nature of man prior to the Fall. The two outermost figures are meant to be Adam and Eve, with the third figure (on the left) being an angel that is escorting them off the Garden. Since the angel is pictured in such a human-like manner, it is assumed that this might symbolize the pity felt by the angel due to the perverted state of humanity. Even though the painting is nowhere near recent, the sentiment that Adam and Eve were to be shamed is still very much alive regardless of how progressive society has become as a collective.
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