St. Augustine Departing for Milan (detail) 1465

This fresco detail, made by Benozzo Gozzoli, is located in the Sant'Agostino Church in San Gimignano. Immediately, one is drawn into the layered composition, where the artist uses a palette of earth tones to structure the depth of the image and invite a semiotic reading. The foreground presents figures adorned in rich fabrics and striking headwear, set against an urban landscape. Gozzoli skillfully employs linear perspective, yet it’s somewhat destabilized, creating a flattened effect that pushes the background forward. This tension between depth and surface prompts reflection on spatial representation and visual perception. The semiotic interplay between the figures' attire and the architectural backdrop suggests a complex set of cultural codes and social values. Gozzoli's innovative treatment of space and form challenges traditional modes of representation. Consider how the dynamic interplay of color, shape, and perspective creates a visual experience that transcends mere depiction, engaging us in a dialogue about the nature of seeing and knowing. Art, after all, is always open to re-interpretation.