Lateral Panel 1360

Giovanni da Milano’s ‘Lateral Panel’ presents us with a composition rich in vertical lines, softened by the gentle arch of the panel itself and the halos above the saints. The eye is immediately drawn to the contrasting blocks of color: the somber black and white of the central figure’s habit against the vibrant blues, oranges, and golds surrounding her. Notice how the arrangement of figures creates a sense of depth despite the painting’s flat, almost decorative quality. The forward-facing gazes of the figures invite viewers into a direct engagement, yet their detached expressions introduce an element of the uncanny, destabilizing a straightforward interpretation. The material reality of the gold leaf, applied with meticulous detail, emphasizes a world both precious and symbolic. The painting presents a world where spiritual ideals are mediated through the careful arrangement of forms and colors, inviting viewers to ponder the interplay between the earthly and the divine. As such, the artwork does not offer fixed answers, but opens an interpretive space for reflecting on the symbolic and material dimensions of faith.