Nuptual Chest (Storage Chest). So-called "Cassone" or "Forziere" 1450 - 1475

Editor: This is the "Nuptial Chest," or "Cassone," by Lo Scheggia, made sometime between 1450 and 1475. It's tempera and oil paint on wood, and, well, it's definitely not your typical hope chest! The scene painted across the front is so vibrant and busy, almost overwhelming at first glance. Then you open the lid and…a nude man? It's unexpected. What strikes you most about it? Curator: Ah, yes, the *cassone* – far more than just storage, wasn't it? A statement piece, a symbol of family pride, practically shouting, "We've arrived!" Lo Scheggia really knew how to tell a story. To me, it’s like a Florentine movie poster. Notice how he compresses so much action onto this single surface. It's teeming with life and energy. What do you think of the nude figure? Editor: I find it strange that it’s on the *inside*. The rest of the chest is public display, this flamboyant, almost propagandistic parade. And inside is this very private image of… well, who is that, exactly? Curator: Now there's a question! Perhaps Adonis, eternally beautiful and asleep after hunting? Or is it Adam before the Fall, blissfully unaware of what's to come? Lo Scheggia asks us to contemplate not just wealth and status, but also beauty, innocence, and perhaps a hint of vulnerability hidden beneath the surface. What do *you* think it represents? Editor: That makes the interior a quiet reflection, the calm after the storm. Maybe the family is aware of the responsibilities associated with being important, hence it's not something to publicly announce. Curator: Precisely! It’s about the stories we tell, the ones we parade and the ones we keep close to our hearts. And how different mediums of paintings and furniture can affect perception. I always find it so compelling. Editor: I never thought of it that way! Looking at the *cassone* is truly like unpacking a Renaissance story, layer by layer.