Luca Giordano | Allegory of Divine Wisdom | NG6631

Allegory of Divine Wisdom

Luca Giordano

This modello, or oil study, was made in preparation for the ceiling of the Library in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi in Florence and shows the human intellect as a kneeling youth released from the bonds of ignorance. Attended by Mathematics, who gives him wings, and Philosophy, who holds out a mirror, and Theology, he gazes up at the enthroned figure with globe and sceptre who represents Wisdom. The subject is based on a line from Petrarch's 'Rime'.

This painting is one of a group of ten modelli, or elaborated oil studies, made in preparation for the fresco projects that Giordano created for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi in Florence.

Key facts

Artist	Luca Giordano
Artist dates	1634 - 1705
Full title	Allegory of Divine Wisdom
Group	Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence
Date made	early 1680s
Medium and support	Oil on canvas
Dimensions	138.5 x 65.2 cm
Acquisition credit	Presented by the Trustees of Sir Denis Mahon's Charitable Trust through the Art Fund, 2013
Inventory number	NG6631
Location in Gallery	Room 40

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Allegory of Divine Wisdom by Luca Giordano

Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence

This group of 10 modelli, or elaborated oil studies, was made in preparation for the fresco projects that Giordano undertook in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi in Florence between 1682 and 1685.

Nine are associated with the ceiling of the Galleria and one, the 'Allegory of Divine Wisdom', is for the ceiling of the adjacent Library.

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Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence

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