Saint John the Evangelist Raises Satheus to Life 1365 - 1374

Editor: So, here we have Francescuccio Ghissi’s "Saint John the Evangelist Raises Satheus to Life," made between 1365 and 1374 using tempera paint. It definitely has that flat, somewhat mysterious quality of early Renaissance art. Everyone is so intense! What do you make of the scene unfolding here? Curator: Well, isn't it something? The International Gothic style, you know, with its gilded backgrounds and elongated figures. It feels like stepping into a dream – a very *urgent* dream. It's more than just a depiction of a miracle; it’s about faith staring down the impossible. It is also about drama playing out on the gold background. What grabs *you* most? Editor: The reactions of the people surrounding the central figure, for sure. The sheer range of emotions feels so raw, even theatrical. Like they're experiencing the impossible right before their very eyes. Almost as if they have just won the lottery. Curator: Precisely! It is, indeed, the emotional ripple effect of the miraculous. Each figure responds uniquely to the divine intervention. Think of the kneeling figure, in tones of gray and blue. Look at their posture and gaze – a mixture of devotion and awe? How does that resonate with our modern sensibilities? Editor: I can understand that the artist has portrayed how the message of Christianity could unite humanity and even show everyone what could happen by having great faith. Curator: Exactly! And in these gilded surfaces and holy acts, Ghissi has brought humanity to the service of divinity! I didn't notice this nuance when I first saw this work. Thank you for highlighting it!