Angel with Peacock Wings
The Procession of the Magi (1459-1461), East Wall of the Chancel
Faces in the Procession and Gozzoli Self-Portrait
The Procession of the Magi (1459-1461), East Wall
Clear Pool with Birds and Fauna
The Procession of the Magi (1459-1461), West Wall of the Chancel
Adoring Archangels with Gold Leaf Halos
The Procession of the Magi (1459-1461), East Wall of the Chancel
Shepherd, Dog and Sheep in Landscape
The Procession of the Magi (1459-1461), Narrow Wall Above the Sacristy
Hunting Scene Above Procession of Caspar
The Procession of the Magi (1459-1461), East Wall
Procession, Animals and Landscape
The Procession of the Magi (1459-1461), West Wall
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Curiosities and Contradictions
in Benozzo Gozzoli’s
Procession of the Magi (1459-1461)
[ Thesis
Benozzo Gozzoli’s fresco cycle, Procession of the Magi, is located in the in the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi in Florence, and is a perfect microcosm of the contradictions and curiosities that surround this artist’s career and work. Existing art historical analysis of this fresco cycle duly notes Gozzoli’s talent for wedding narrative, style, and innovative artistic techniques to reflect the power and prestige of the Medici, however, it does not fully identify or examine the contradictions and curiosities that make Gozzoli’s Procession and his artistic talent wholly unique. Therefore, it is worthwhile to examine the function and purpose of the Medici’s Chapel of the Magi and Gozzoli’s Procession, and the artist’s technical virtuosity and unique style.
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[ Curiosities & Contradictions
The Chapel of the Magi and Procession of the Magi: A Place of Worship (Piety) and an Audience Hall (Power)
The Artist, Benozzo Gozzoli: Technical Virtuosity, Influences and Unique Style, Self-Portraits and Signatures
Art Historical Examination and Analysis: Gozzoli Scholars, Sources and Documents, Reputation and Legacy
[ Sources and Evidence
There are many primary and secondary sources that discuss Benozzo Gozzoli and The Procession of the Magi, but as a rule, these sources only provide a brief overview and analysis of the artist and his fresco cycle. Existing early documents on the artist include surviving contracts for commissions, letters from Gozzoli and Roberto Martelli to Piero de Medici, and an entry in Giusto d’Andrea’s Diario. Giorgio Vasari discusses the artist and his work in his Lives, and later analyses and evaluations of both the artist and the fresco cycle are provided by three Gozzoli scholars: Anna Padoa Rizzo, Diane Cole Ahl, and Christina Acidini Luchinat.
Research
Benozzo Gozzoli’s Procession of the Magi
[ Gaps in Scholarship
On one hand, Benozzo’s paintings are a fresh and
lively interpretation of both the Early Renaissance
and International Gothic styles, and his inventive
techniques and beautiful portraits and gestures elevate
him to the stature and ability of a master artist. On the other hand, this talented Renaissance artist has been almost universally disregarded, ignored, and even criticized by modern art historians. QUESTIONS: Why was Gozzoli hired for important commissions if he was disregarded by peers and critics? Why is this fresco cycle disregarded and not considered an influential work? What makes this fresco cycle unique and worthy of recognition?
Development
Benozzo Gozzoli’s Procession of the Magi
[ Progression of Topic
The shape of my analysis of the curiosities and contradictions surrounding Benozzo Gozzoli and his Procession of the Magi changed very little as it progressed. After the first draft I switched two sections of my paper so the historiography preceded the information on the artist and fresco cycle. In the second draft, I refined my thesis and wrote the introductory paragraph and first two sections. As I was writing the third draft, I discovered art historian Anna Padoa Rizzo's scholarship on the artist and his work. She is considered a top Gozzoli scholar, however, because most of her work on the artist has not been translated into English, I have only been able to include one brief essay on Gozzoli’s fresco cycle as it relates to the Chapel of the Magi.
[ Problems Encountered and Overcome
The only problem I've encountered as I've researched my topic is finding Anna Padoa Rizzo's research translated from Italian to English. I will use her one essay in my paper, include explanations in extended footnotes, and if I expand this topic into my graduate thesis, I will have more of her work translated into English.
[ Final Assessments
Benozzo Gozzoli and his fresco cycle, Procession
of the Magi, is surrounded by curiosities and contradictions that go beyond the wedding
of narrative, style, and innovative artistic
techniques to reflect the power and prestige
of the Medici. These curiosities and
contradictions prove that the artist
possessed wholly unique artistic
talent, and the function and
purpose of the Medici’s Chapel
of the Magi and Gozzoli’s
Procession, are a fresh and lively
interpretation of both the Early
Renaissance and International
Gothic styles, and his inventive
techniques and beautiful portraits
and gestures elevate Gozzoli to the stature
and ability of a master artist.
Conclusion
Curiosities and Contradictions in Benozzo Gozzoli’s Procession of the Magi
[ Unsolved Problems and Future Research
It is worthy to continue to study Benozzo Gozzoli and his Procession of the Magi in order to further examine his legacy and reputation. Why has this artist been overlooked, criticized, and disregarded?
It is also important to conduct an in-depth study of the iconography and iconology of Procession of the Magi, especially as it relates to the placement of the figures, the costumes and dress of the figures, the flora and fauna, and the birds and other animals.