Botticelli in
the Sistine Chapel.
In 1481 Botticelli was summoned to Rome.
He and several other artists had been selected by Pope Sixtus IV to
decorate the walls of the Sistine Chapel. These artists included
Ghirlandaio and Rosselli from Florence, and Perugino from Umbria.
This was some twenty seven years before
Michelangelo began his work on the ceiling. The frescoes were completed
in a relatively short period of time, about eleven months. The artists
submitted a sample fresco for approval by papal officials and
Botticelli's contribution was three paintings, "Events of
the life of Moses", "The Temptation of Christ", and "The
Punishment of Korah".
"Events of the
life of Moses" (s)
Botticelli has portrayed several scenes
from the life of Moses, cleverly showing different points in time in
the young prophets life. The figures are arranged in diagonal groups
that lead the eye into the picture.
"Events of the life of Moses" (detail) (s)
Moses appears twice in this detail, he is seen
watering the sheep of Jethro's daughters, and taking off his sandals at
the top of the detail.
"The Temptation
of Christ" (s)
The Devil tempts Christ in three ways in
this fresco. He attempts to persuade Christ to cast himself down from
the temple, shown in the top centre of the picture. In the top corners
he shows Christ the world's riches and challenges the Son of God to
turn stones into bread.The Jewish celebration in the foreground depicts
a priest receiving offerings of a sacrificial bowl, animals, and wood.
"The Punishment
of Korah" (s)
The painting depicts three episodes and
tells of a rebellion by the Hebrews against Moses and Aaron. On the
right the rebels attempt to stone Moses after becoming disenchanted by
their trails on their emigration from Egypt. Joshua has placed himself
between the rebels and Moses protecting him from the stoning. The
centre scene shows the rebellion led by Korah and on the left the
rebels group together waiting to receive God's punishment.
The message is clear, no one should
doubt the authority of the Pope over the Church. The power of the
papacy was constantly being questioned at the time. This painting
serves as a reminder that the Pope's leadership was granted by God when
he gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
"The
Punishment of Korah" (detail) (s)
Botticelli
in the Sistine Chapel, back to Botticelli's page..
The
Sistine Chapel.
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Renaissance Art:- Home Page.
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