The Moment Before

These 10 paintings depict biblical, mythological, and historical themes found in Italian Renaissance art in Florence. Most compositions interpret certain themes or stories in “the moment before” more common representations in art while others attempt to capture a gesture or emotive quality absent from typical renderings. For each painting I visited original artworks before planning and recreating my own version. Summarily, this project is an homage to Florentine artists and masterpieces especially to Michelangelo and David.

To elaborate, Michelangelo’s David left a resounding impression on me when I first saw it back in 2004 during its restoration. For me it was a transformative experience at an impressionable time. I am especially drawn to Michelangelo’s decision to portray David before the fight, in a moment of heightened concentration rather than posing triumphantly over Goliath’s severed head as was the trend. I admire the challenge he and other artists faced when reproducing tired themes over and over again. I noticed how they borrowed and modified what others did before while contemplating the same questions of how to illustrate an old theme in a unique and innovative way. It was a challenge I wanted to take on myself and thoroughly enjoyed doing so during my artist residency at SRISA in Florence.