Altar of Recanati polyptych, the left wing: St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Flavian 1508

Lorenzo Lotto painted St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Flavian, on the left wing of the Altar of Recanati polyptych, in the 16th century in Venice, Italy. The painting reflects the religious and institutional context of its time, as well as its artistic conventions. In this oil on wood painting, we see the influence of Renaissance humanism, that emphasizes the importance of human reason and knowledge. The way in which religious figures are depicted shows a shift from symbolic representations to more naturalistic and individualistic portraits. At the same time, it reinforces social hierarchies through its depiction of clerical authority and learning. Lotto's artistic choices reflect the changing social and intellectual currents of the Renaissance. By exploring archival sources, letters, and historical documents, we can get a deeper understanding of the painting's meaning and significance within its specific historical and social context. Art is contingent on those contexts.