Trittico della Natività (detail) 1470

Editor: This is a detail of Gentile Bellini’s “Trittico della Natività,” made around 1470 with tempera. I find the gold leaf backgrounds really striking; they give it such a rich, almost ethereal quality. What story do you see this work telling? Curator: Well, viewing it through a historical lens, this triptych reveals much about the function of art within 15th-century Venetian society and the prominent role of the church and charitable organisations like the Scuola Grande di San Marco, who would have commissioned art works such as these. The medium of tempera alongside use of gold leaf recalls earlier Byzantine influences and icon painting traditions. Considering the original intended location is helpful; did this altarpiece perhaps intend to evoke piety in viewers, or did it hope to portray the divine wealth and glory of the Church through material demonstration of status? Editor: That's a great point. I hadn’t really thought about how the materials themselves could speak to power dynamics within Venice at that time. It’s interesting to see how a work of art becomes more meaningful when considered within this broader social context. Does knowing where the art was displayed influence how we see its artistic significance today? Curator: Absolutely! Knowing the context dramatically shifts our perspective. Think about it – art wasn't just about aesthetics then; it played a vital role in shaping and reinforcing cultural beliefs. The strategic display of such gilded altarpieces and artwork would dictate its reception and solidify social hierarchies of class and faith. Today, we visit museums and consider them ‘art’, whereas, then it was religious and symbolic infrastructure, now a marker of ‘high’ culture. Do you find that fascinating? Editor: I do! It really opens up how you consider these older artworks. It gives you a glimpse into what mattered to the original audience. I think this approach can enrich how we analyze artworks that initially seem quite remote. Curator: Indeed. The real art is the process of investigation.