For centuries, art history has been subject to diverse interpretations, to the infinite plurality of perspectives. But have you ever considered that the works of the Italian Renaissance might contain hidden keys, unveiling a largely unknown yet profoundly rich universe, where alchemy, kabbalah, humor astrology, and ancient mythology intertwine?
In my quest to decipher the hidden language of these masterpieces, I took a multidisciplinary approach, merging fields from the history of alchemy, Jewish and Christian kabbalah, humor astrology, and ancient mythology. These fields, often seen as marginal or esoteric, shed a new light on artworks we thought we knew.
Take, for example, Sandro Botticelli, an iconic painter of the Italian Renaissance. In my previous work, dedicated to the master's four mythologies, I delved into the depths of his imagination, where alchemical symbols, kabbalistic influences, and astrological nuances intertwine. This exploration revealed unprecedented layers of meaning, casting Botticelli in a new light, that of an artist whose depth of thought transcends the traditional boundaries of his time.
In his painting, The Birth of Venus, I discovered he superimposes an ancient narrative, which tells us about the birth of the goddess Venus, with the Judeo-Christian narrative. This narrative starts from left to right with the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise; in the center, on a St. James shell (feminine mandorla), the young Virgin Mary is at her presentation in the temple; and on the right, the Virgin Mary ascending to heaven. In the background, behind Mary ascending, is the tree of Paradise wherein the painter cleverly concealed the eye of God and the serpent of Eden.
The overall narrative informs us of the birth of a divine child by overlaying several languages which tell the same story:
- Ancient mythological language
- Judeo-Christian language
- Alchemical language
- Astrological language
- Kabbalistic language A signature treasure hunt characteristic of our friend Sandro Botticelli.
I'll leave it to you to find this eye and snake or you can purchase my book from the store below where all of this is detailed.
My dedication to academic research was recognized on November 21, 2006, with the Robert Cornevin award, presented by the Overseas Science Academy. This acknowledges the seriousness and rigor of my colonial history approach. This distinction confirms the relevance of my work and the importance of continuing to push the boundaries of knowledge.
I also specialize in uncovering hidden hermetic codes in Italian Renaissance painting, and I believe you'll find that my contributions will further advance our understanding, due to sound methodology.
I thus invite you, art history teachers and students, to dive with me into this captivating universe. My works provide a gateway into this journey through time and spirit. Art is a reflection of the human soul, and by grasping its deepest secrets, we move closer to understanding ourselves.
My courses can be conducted at universities or online upon request, depending on the terms set in agreement with your university management.
Jean Luc Angrand, art historian, author
https://jeanlucangrand.com/collections/english-version-ebooks
The translation of my text was done by CHATGPT; please let me know of any translation errors.