The Tempest
Dublin Core
Title
The Tempest
Description
Giorgione was and Italian painter during the High Renaissance and achieved effect and distinctiveness in his paintings through color and mood. He was known as one of the most mysterious artists for always creating uncertainty in the meaning of his paintings [1]. His use of color, mood, and mystery were embodied in his landscape painting The Tempest, which is one of the first paintings in which landscape plays such a big role [1].
The Tempest is a painting of two, unrelated halves (foreground and background). In the forefront, three figures are clearly depicted. On the right, a woman, draped in a bright white robe with most of her body exposed, is seen suckling her baby. On the left, a manly figure is dressed very formal and fancy holding a staff, which may indicate he is a soldier. Many have identified this male figure, who is admiring the woman, as a member of a club of unmarried men called The Campagnia dell Calza [2]. Unlike other Venetian paintings, the painter does not put great emphasis on the figures (even though they are clearly present) like placing extra light on them or using lighter colors to depict them. The colors used to illustrate the individuals are similar to their surroundings making them blend into this landscape, which adds to their mystery. The representation of the figures has long been debated as some people believe it is a Gypsy and a solider, while others believe that the figure represent Adam and Eve [3].
Moving on, the background of the painting is indicative of some type of storm approaching. The dark clouds and the subtle flash of lighting create a gloomy mood. Many details are encompassed in the background including a stream widening to a river, several buildings, and even a temple, which all contribute to this countryside and urban landscape. The use of dark blue and green color hues foreshadows an impending doom coming into this well-constructed Venetian city and upon the figures [2]. The strategic use of strokes when painting the trees and other parts of nature creates a rough-feeling texture in the painting that contributes to the gloomy mood. While this painting has been left to interpretation to historians and viewers, I believe that it represents a nostalgic view of Venetian society as a serene republic even though it was under siege from foreign armies at the time (War of Cambria).
[1] Harold E. Wethey, “Giorgione,” Encyclopedia Britannica, 2, 3
[2] Micahel L Shackman, “The Tempest,” Visual Arts Cork
[3] Rudolf Schier, "Giorgione's Tempesta," Renaissance Studies 22 (2008), 478, 479
The Tempest is a painting of two, unrelated halves (foreground and background). In the forefront, three figures are clearly depicted. On the right, a woman, draped in a bright white robe with most of her body exposed, is seen suckling her baby. On the left, a manly figure is dressed very formal and fancy holding a staff, which may indicate he is a soldier. Many have identified this male figure, who is admiring the woman, as a member of a club of unmarried men called The Campagnia dell Calza [2]. Unlike other Venetian paintings, the painter does not put great emphasis on the figures (even though they are clearly present) like placing extra light on them or using lighter colors to depict them. The colors used to illustrate the individuals are similar to their surroundings making them blend into this landscape, which adds to their mystery. The representation of the figures has long been debated as some people believe it is a Gypsy and a solider, while others believe that the figure represent Adam and Eve [3].
Moving on, the background of the painting is indicative of some type of storm approaching. The dark clouds and the subtle flash of lighting create a gloomy mood. Many details are encompassed in the background including a stream widening to a river, several buildings, and even a temple, which all contribute to this countryside and urban landscape. The use of dark blue and green color hues foreshadows an impending doom coming into this well-constructed Venetian city and upon the figures [2]. The strategic use of strokes when painting the trees and other parts of nature creates a rough-feeling texture in the painting that contributes to the gloomy mood. While this painting has been left to interpretation to historians and viewers, I believe that it represents a nostalgic view of Venetian society as a serene republic even though it was under siege from foreign armies at the time (War of Cambria).
[1] Harold E. Wethey, “Giorgione,” Encyclopedia Britannica, 2, 3
[2] Micahel L Shackman, “The Tempest,” Visual Arts Cork
[3] Rudolf Schier, "Giorgione's Tempesta," Renaissance Studies 22 (2008), 478, 479
Creator
Giorgione (Giorgio da Castelfranco)
Source
Giorgione (Giorgio da Castelfranco), Venetian, ca. 1477-1510. ca. 1510. The Tempest. Accessed September 29, 2020 https://library.artstor.org/asset/AHSC_ORPHANS_1071313534.
Schier, Rudolf. "Giorgione's "Tempesta": A Virgilian Pastoral." Renaissance Studies 22, no. 4 (2008): 476-506. Accessed September 29, 2020. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24417578.
Wethey, Harold E. “Giorgione.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., April 18, 2019. Accessed September 29, 2020 https://www.britannica.com/biography/Giorgione.
Shackman, Michael L. “The Tempest (1508).” The Tempest, Giorgione: Analysis, Meaning. Accessed September 29, 2020.
http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/famous-paintings/tempest-giorgione.htm.
Winkelmes, Mary-Ann. Speculum 74 (Painting in Sixteenth-Century Venice: Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto), no. 3 (1999): 822-24. Accessed September 29, 2020. doi:10.2307/2886844.
Schier, Rudolf. "Giorgione's "Tempesta": A Virgilian Pastoral." Renaissance Studies 22, no. 4 (2008): 476-506. Accessed September 29, 2020. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24417578.
Wethey, Harold E. “Giorgione.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., April 18, 2019. Accessed September 29, 2020 https://www.britannica.com/biography/Giorgione.
Shackman, Michael L. “The Tempest (1508).” The Tempest, Giorgione: Analysis, Meaning. Accessed September 29, 2020.
http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/famous-paintings/tempest-giorgione.htm.
Winkelmes, Mary-Ann. Speculum 74 (Painting in Sixteenth-Century Venice: Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto), no. 3 (1999): 822-24. Accessed September 29, 2020. doi:10.2307/2886844.
Publisher
Commissioned by Gabrielle Vendramin (in 1504)
Date
1510
Contributor
Raj Kumar
Rights
Use of this image is in accordance with the Artstor Terms & Conditions.
Format
Oil on Canvas, 78.7 cm x 73.7 cm
Type
Painting
Coverage
Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice, Italy
Citation
Giorgione (Giorgio da Castelfranco), “The Tempest,” ARTHIST 89S - Visual Culture of Venice - Fall 2020, accessed October 22, 2026, https://venice.dahvc.org/fall-2020/items/show/81.