April. Frescos in Palazzo Schifanoia (detail) 1470

Francesco del Cossa painted this detail of a fresco in the Palazzo Schifanoia, using tempera on a wall, with the entire cycle completed around 1470. Notice the compelling interplay between form and symbolism, the stark contrast of the birds against the neutral backdrop, creating a striking visual hierarchy. The grey heron is being mounted by a white bird. The composition suggests a dynamic and perhaps violent encounter. The artist uses a semiotic language where the white bird may symbolize purity or dominance, while the grey heron could represent humility or subjugation. Cossa challenges fixed meanings, inviting us to question the power dynamics and hierarchical relationships inherent in the visual narrative. The fresco destabilizes established values by presenting a complex interplay of symbolism. It's an invitation to consider the fluidity of meaning and the ongoing dialogue between art and its viewers.