Descent from the Cross 1491

Benozzo Gozzoli's Descent from the Cross was made in Florence, Italy during the Early Renaissance. The painting depicts the removal of Jesus' body from the cross, a common subject in Christian art, but Gozzoli brings a particularly Florentine sensibility to it. Consider the carefully rendered expressions and elegant drapery; they reflect a cultural emphasis on humanism and classical beauty, and the way these ideas were promoted through institutions such as the Medici's Platonic Academy. Florence at this time was a republic in name, but the social conditions were such that power was concentrated in the hands of a wealthy few. Artists like Gozzoli found themselves working for these elites. The Descent from the Cross can be read as a commentary on the social structures of its time; the artist carefully balances tradition with innovation, reflecting the complex social and political landscape of Florence. By studying primary sources from the period such as letters, diaries, and account books, the historian can gain insight into the lives and experiences of those who commissioned, created, and viewed works of art. Ultimately the meaning of art hinges on its social and institutional context.