Renunciation of Worldly Goods 1485

Domenico Ghirlandaio created this fresco depicting the ‘Renunciation of Worldly Goods,’ with its symmetrical arrangement and soft, muted colours, evoking a sense of serene contemplation. The composition is structured around a central archway, framing the key narrative. Figures clad in flowing robes are arranged in balanced groups, guiding the viewer's eye to the focal point: the act of renunciation itself. Ghirlandaio employs a clear, linear perspective, positioning the scene against a backdrop that recedes into the distance. The architecture and landscape serve not just as setting, but also as semiotic markers of earthly power and material wealth being abandoned. The gentle brushwork and the use of light, however, temper the gravity of the renunciation, suggesting a harmonious transition rather than a stark departure. The visual structure reinforces the subject's spiritual and philosophical dimensions, inviting reflection on the values being contested. The painting offers a space for ongoing re-evaluation of the relationship between material life and inner meaning.