This particular art is from the Renaissance and Baroque period of art history, and features the Corsini families personal collection of art work from artists including Botticelli, Andrea del Sarto, Caravaggio and Pontormo.
The Corsini family
Arriving in Florence in the 13thCentury, with ancestors still living there today. Working mainly in banking and finance, including trading this is how the family developed their wealth (Kisler, Mary: 2017, Mackelvie Collection of International Art). They also worked in silk, and produced a family tree, tracing all the families development from the 13thright up to 1995. Their wealth gave them an opportunity to develop a passionate affair for art, to serve as a reminder of their legacy depicting loyalty to Florence and the impact of WWII and the flood of Florence in 1966 (Auckland Art Gallery: 2018). Notable members of the Corsini family are from the Catholic church, which heavily influenced the style of art work purchased, these members include family saint Andrea Corsini, three cardinals and Pope Clement XII. The university of Florence was founded by Tommaso Corsini in 1348, and due to this, intellectually, politically, and culturally influenced generations of society in Florence. Receiving this collection, that travels world-wide, signposts a capsule of both grandiose, and stately significance, to share with future generations, which makes the viewer appreciate how influential and impressive the individual art and family was, and continues to be.
Madonna and Child with Six Angels circa 1500
Painter: Sandro Botticelli
Description: Tempera and oil on panel Florence, Galleria Corsini.
Under the influence of the zealous friar Savonarola, Sandro Botticelli turned away from painting classical themes at the end of the 15th century to focus on the life of Christ.
Here, the Madonna rests her cheek against her little son’s and
her eyes are closed, as if she is holding back tears. Two angels hold aloft a pearl-inlaid crown studded with sprigs of lilies, which symbolise the Virgin’s ultimate place at her son’s side as Queen of Heaven. First, though, she must accept that when he is an adult, he will sacrifice his life to save humanity. Two angels on the right gaze sadly at the instruments of Christ’s future Passion, while those on the left look out inviting us to share their sorrow (Auckland Art Gallery: 2017).
her eyes are closed, as if she is holding back tears. Two angels hold aloft a pearl-inlaid crown studded with sprigs of lilies, which symbolise the Virgin’s ultimate place at her son’s side as Queen of Heaven. First, though, she must accept that when he is an adult, he will sacrifice his life to save humanity. Two angels on the right gaze sadly at the instruments of Christ’s future Passion, while those on the left look out inviting us to share their sorrow (Auckland Art Gallery: 2017).
