The painting that rocked renaissance Florence: the Portinari Altarpiece

Hugo van der Goes, Portinari Altarpiece (or Adoration of the Shepherds with angels and Saint Thomas, Saint Anthony, Saint Margaret, Mary Magdalen and the Portinari family, recto; Annunciation, verso), 1477-78, oil on wood, 274 x 652 cm (Uffizi, Florence)
A conversation with Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris

[@TheSuperCommentGuy]

These videos are great, I've been watching since like 2012. Keep it up my dudes

[@robinhahnsopran]

One of my absolute favourite channels blesses me with a new video again! :)

[@KevinDixon]

I love Dr. Beth voice. So soft.

[@edwardchiang6106]

Ive been waiting for this video since Christmas, amazing videos.

[@vinceleone841]

A pleasure and joy as always. Thankyou !

[@irafa2]

Exquisite as always. It felt like a good review of all of the concepts of Renaissance Art that have been previously presented. I really understand all this language! You guys really do a good job teaching all this concepts. I went to MFA in Boston for the first time after learning all in the pandemic and all made sense!!! So much still to lean! Keep doing this videos!

[@guest_informant]

I learn so much from these videos :-)

[@callumtaylor8474]

Really love all the Renaissance art videos. You’ve awoken a new interest in and appreciation of art in me, I feel like I’ve never fully connected to what is a fundamental part of the human experience, until now. I have a new appreciation of all art from seeing the origins and history of Renaissance art, and it’s really added to my quality of life. Thank you for sharing your insights and knowledge

[@smarthistoryvideos]

Thank you so much for reaching out. Your comment means a lot to us, and we are very glad our work has been of value. Please stay in touch.

[@deer563]

Is it just me or smart history literally is the best channel on KZbin

[@andrzejmaranda3699]

Simply beautiful!

[@maricarmenferreira2991]

I love the explanation on the description and details. It’s a beautiful painting indeed. Thank you so much for your videos.

[@mariacrivell79]

Thank you!!

[@L-mo]

That was awesome

[@Sasha0927]

I had to rewind this video a few times to appreciate all the good, new information coming my way. I definitely prefer the Northern Renaissance to the Italian for the rich symbolism. To have all that meaning in the small cluster of plants alone was really impressive.

[@samoinborut1339]

Thank you so much. This is fantastic: short and thorough. Love from Slovenia.

[@steveschmitz2839]

Amazing. Thank you!

[@richestmanintatooine7131]

My favorite KZbin channel

[@spokanelaw]

Terrific this adds to my understanding of the renaissance.

[@BuildingCenter]

I've just found your Commons playlist, which seems new and wildly useful. Do our hosts/essayists have lists of favorite uploads, perhaps covering pieces of particular personal interest, or pieces that sparked particularly insightful analysis? Any pieces that most surprised you? Regardless, there's a ton of useful content to explore. Thanks for your consistency over the years. (Not my first visit; just my first comment in a long while.)

[@almeggs3247]

You need to do more of these. We are begging for instruction on these ancient paintings! Thanks

[@knyght27]

Dante's crush Beatrice was a member of the Portinari family, by the way

[@smarthistoryvideos]

Most likely yes, though two centuries earlier.

[@lewhensilvar3521]

So it causes a great stirred in Florence. But what was the final verdict? Did they end up liking it or hating it? Did it have any influence in the local painting?

[@worldartsmidy2513]

Pas de perspectives dans cette oeuvre,pourtant elle était déjà employée par des peintres. Le plus étonnant ,est de voir le nombre de personnes identiques dans cette peinture,beaucoup de ''têtes'' ont été reportées et sont les mêmes.Merci à vous pour cette vidéo.👌👀👍.

[@florianartus3231]

Il y a bel et bien de la perspective dans cette œuvre, géométrique, atmosphérique. Elle n'est juste pas construite comme dans les œuvres italiennes de la même époque. Quant aux visages, comme il était de coutume, tous les anges ont le même visage androgyne. Mais les flamands étaient maîtres du portrait, et tous les autres personnages ici sont très individualisés : les donateurs, leurs enfants, les bergers !

[@nelsonx5326]

Great painting. I love columbines. They seem so exotic to me, like an Amazon jungle plant, but they grow in NYC. I painted some Japanese ink style.

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

And here I thought it was Dogs Playing Poker, by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge.

[@fietehermans9903]

You forgot the most interesting detail: the portraits are painted on metal. Hugo van der Goes’ studio was in Ghent, so he visited the Portinari family, painted their portraits on small metal discs he could take with him, and then inserted them in the main altar back in his own workshop

[@smarthistoryvideos]

Yes, Tommaso's likeness was attached to the panel but I do not think it is painted on metal. I believe it is thought to be painted on paper or parchment. I believe this is the only portrait in the triptych that is not painted directly on the panel.

[@jamesrhoades6406]

I love how the white and purple irises resemble a lamb! (At least to me)

[@duloo97]

Will be more Byzantine videos maybe any time soon? :)

[@smarthistoryvideos]

Maybe not videos so soon, but lots of new essays on Byzantine art on Smarthistory.org!

[@allertonoff4]

Superb and enlightening Analysis guys ! .. will someone PLZ explain how the 'Northern Art Tradition' gradually Historically evolved into Temporally Paradigmatic sardonic conceptual HYPERMINIMALISM ?

[@gavinreid5387]

I could, but it would take too long.

[@allertonoff4]

i have almost infinite patience

[@gavinreid5387]

@@allertonoff4 almost....

[@myhomemovies55]

As always...thank you! Surprised you didn't use Ghirlandaio's Adoration of the Shepherds for comparison.

[@smarthistoryvideos]

We should have!

[@harrietlyall1991]

Italian painting is strong on structures, be they anatomical or architectural, while Flemish painting is strong on textures, of fabrics, hair, skin, fur, flower petals or masonry. It likely has to do with the different light in north and south: the very strong light of the Mediterranean tends to bleach out colours and flatten details, leaving an emphasis on the larger elements of structure, whereas under the colder, paler northern sun, colours appear softer and richer and fine detail is more apparent.

[@gavinreid5387]

I once read the difference is Flemish Natura Naturata versus Italian Natura Naturans. I think the main difference is northern realism versus italian idealism.

[@SOUNDsculptures]

Where do you get your copyright free images from please?

[@smarthistoryvideos]

You can learn more here: smarthistory.org/commons/how-to-take-great-photos-of-art-and-architecture/

[@SOUNDsculptures]

@@smarthistoryvideos Thank you, interesting website. I couldn't find any images of the art I want to talk about unfortunately on the Flickr account, but useful information nonetheless.

[@geneva6872]

I posted a comment 3 days ago. Cannot find it. The comment was relevant and giving due credit to the video. Could someone from Smarthistory please tell me whether it was taken down and if so why??

[@lindareid7279]

What’s the story of the 2 Shepard’s top right in the centre painting? One has his arms in the air and the other is slumped on the ground.

[@gavinreid5387]

Luke 2:8. When the angel appeared the shepherds were fearful but were told to be joyous. One shepherd is shown cowering in fear, the other jumps in joy.

[@SimonSozzi7258]

3:42 I Googled the association between Corinthian capitals and the Virgin Mary and couldn't find any other than the "Immaculate Conception" Mary atop a Corinthian column which was erected in the 1800's. Although the column was discovered in 1777 during the construction of one of their religious buildings. (That particular capital originally depicted Minerva carrying a shield.) The Virgin Mary stands on a crescent moon, atop the world, stomping on a serpent! 🤔 That would be powerful imagery for the Mexica.

[@smarthistoryvideos]

Google has its limitations.

[@TheMiguelBarata]

Great video, but I would like you to take a little more time to explain things. It seems a little rushed...