Resurrection of the Flesh Luca Signorelli (c.1445-1523)

The composition presents a complex and layered depiction centered around a pivotal moment of rising figures. The upper portion is dominated by a celestial sphere rendered in gold leaf, suggesting divine presence and transcendence. Within this sphere, two winged figures stand poised on clouds, each holding a banner and blowing a trumpet. Their postures convey a sense of proclamation or announcement, directing attention downwards towards the scene unfolding below.
Below the celestial realm, a multitude of human forms emerge from what appears to be a landscape of rubble and decay. The individuals are depicted in varying states of animation – some struggling upwards with evident effort, others seemingly caught between life and death, while still others remain prostrate or lifeless on the ground. A palpable sense of struggle and disorientation permeates this lower section. The artist has rendered the bodies with meticulous anatomical detail, emphasizing their physicality and vulnerability.
The arrangement of figures is not uniform; theres a dynamic interplay of movement and stillness. Some individuals reach towards the light emanating from above, while others appear to be recoiling or overwhelmed by the process of resurrection. Scattered amongst the rising forms are skeletal remains and fragments of what might have been clothing or possessions, further reinforcing the theme of mortality and transformation.
The color palette is significant. The upper portion utilizes gold and muted blues and pinks to evoke a sense of heavenly serenity. In contrast, the lower section employs earthier tones – browns, ochres, and grays – to convey the grim reality of death and decay. This stark contrast highlights the transition from earthly existence to a state beyond comprehension.
Subtly, the composition suggests themes of judgment, redemption, and the cyclical nature of life and death. The trumpets likely symbolize divine summons or warning, while the banners could represent authority or victory. The sheer number of figures implies a universal scope – this is not merely an individual event but a cosmic occurrence affecting all humanity. The artists choice to depict the resurrection as a chaotic and physically demanding process challenges conventional notions of spiritual ascension, presenting it instead as a complex and potentially unsettling transformation.