1860 - 1881
Standbeeld van de aartsengel Michaël door Giovanni Pisano in het Museo civico in Pisa, Italië
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Curatorial notes
This photograph, taken by Giacomo Brogi in Italy, captures Giovanni Pisano's marble sculpture of the Archangel Michael. The statue, rendered in a sepia tone, presents a figure of elegant, vertical lines, balanced by the horizontal planes of its base and head adornments. Notice how Pisano’s sculpture, through Brogi’s lens, offers a study in contrasts. The rigid, almost stoic pose of Michael is softened by the intricate drapery and feathered details, creating a visual rhythm that plays with the viewer’s perception. This interplay destabilizes the conventional representation of a divine warrior, suggesting a more nuanced, humanistic interpretation. The statue's presence is further amplified by the stark backdrop, focusing attention on the interplay of light and shadow across its surface. This photographic rendering emphasizes the three-dimensional qualities of the statue. Consider how the sculpture engages with broader themes of power, divinity, and the artistic dialogue between form and representation.