Creation and the Expulsion from the Paradise, Giovanni di Paolo, 1445. High res

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This is a painting depicted man’s expulsion from heaven. From order into disorder. I’ve always felt that the painting would be reversed, from disorder (apes) into order (apes with toilets). That is, people emerge from jungle into orderly circle land. Or perhaps it’s all a loop. Or a metaphor. I digress.

Saint John Altarpiece, Rogier van der Weyden, 1455-1460. Source

In the caves of Mulkirigala I have seen demons eating faces, but I didn’t know the hardcore iconography was there in Christianity. It is. This is the fate of St. John the Baptist. The full images is a stunning triptych (three for one) with birth, life and death. I recommend a full view.

Flaying of the Corrupt Judge Sisamnes, Gerard David, 1498-1499. Source

The hardcore paintography is definitely there. This is the flaying of a corrupt Judge. Very Braveheart. Also very real.

Monk with a Nun, Cornelis van Haarlem, 1591. Source

So they weren’t always pedos. This may not be what it seems.

There are two diffrent interpretations concerning this painting. The most common is describing the painting as satirical, or as a criticism of wild life in monasteries. The other interpretation is signifying this painting with the title Miracle of Haarlem. According to a legend, a nun from Haarlem was condemned for giving a birth to a child. The motherhood should be proved by pressing her breasts, and if milk came out she would be judged. But a miracle happened, and wine came from her breasts, which was taken as a proof of innocence.

Cook, Giuseppe Arcimboldo, about 1570. Source

I have seen the familiar, look its vegetables, look it’s a man, optical illusion, but it somehow looks more sinister when the man is meat. Perhaps Kwame Appiah is right that history will condemn us for eating meat.

All of these images are via the aiwaz.net special collection on Unexpected Motifs in Renaissance. Via the ever entertaining MetaFilter.

Posted on Monday, October 25th, 2010 in Art.