Adoration 1524 - 1544

Editor: This painting, "Adoration" by Girolamo da Treviso, portrays a scene of quiet reverence, yet it’s filled with these imposing figures and swirling angels. How do you interpret the symbolism within this piece? Curator: The symbols speak of transition. Note the shepherds with their spears, representing the old order, while the infant Christ is bathed in light, a symbol of the new covenant. The angels, a visual chorus, reinforce this celestial shift. Consider how the artist uses light to portray an emotional narrative, contrasting the darkness of the old with the radiant hope of the new. Editor: So, it's about the dawn of a new age? Curator: Precisely, and how cultural memory imbues these images with deeper meaning. The swaddling clothes, the adoring gaze of Mary, each element echoes through centuries of art, reminding us of this foundational story. Editor: That's insightful; seeing it as a convergence of old and new really changes my perspective. Curator: Indeed. The visual symbols work to continually reinforce those cultural touchstones.