Lateral Panel 1360

Giovanni da Milano painted this panel, whose date is unknown, with tempera on wood. At first glance, you're struck by the composition, with its densely packed figures arranged in tiers, an effect of layering that diminishes any sense of depth, and the repetition of faces and halos that creates a rhythmic pattern. The ochre and gold palette adds to the painting’s visual opulence, but also its flatness. However, the individuality in the faces—each saint rendered with a distinct expression and age—suggests a subtle move away from purely symbolic representation. And consider the placement of the figures: they are not merely floating in a divine space but are grounded, their robes falling with a sense of weight and volume that attempts to reconcile the spiritual with the material. In the end, what resonates here is the tension between the stylized conventions and the nascent naturalism, reflecting a moment of transition in art history. Look again at how the folds of fabric create depth against the solid gold background. Is the relationship successful?