Caravaggio created this painting when he was broke and unknown. Then he chanced upon rich gambler Cardinal de Monte, who loved this piece. It was a lucky draw for the young painter. He’d snagged himself an influential and rich patron.
The Annunciation portrays a critical event for Christianity. Keeping that in
mind, painter Fra Angelico uses a golden laser beam to direct viewers’ eyes. He wants us to see this scene in a super specific way. Angelico also uses rich colors, details, and lots of glorious gold.
Birth of Venus serves up instant recognition. We’re all familiar with Sandro Botticelli’s masterpiece. Still, have we really looked at it? It’s a birth. That’s messy, baby-centric, business. But this portrait shows neither mess nor baby – only beauty.
What twists await in the Apollo and Daphne painting?
• The God Apollo’s Me Too moment.
• Daphne prefers life as a tree over Apollo’s advances.
• In Apollo and Daphne – her choice is everything.
Lorenzo Lotto painting Lady With a Drawing of Lucretia is more than a portrait. It revels in story. This bold lady in an ornate dress calls back to the tale of Lucretia.
The Flea by Guiseppe Crespi tells a story without revealing the main character. We only see the reaction to the flea, not the pest itself. This intimate portrait from 18th century Italy depicts virtue.