Symbolism of colour

I have researched many historical paintings of the Madonna and child which range from the Byzantine Era in which the relationship between mother and child is shown in a formal way to the Renaissance era where the relationship is show in a tender, loving way. I have focused my attention of the works of Sassoferrato. All of the paintings in these eras have one thing in common; the usage of colour symbolism. This is a very important concept in these paintings and so I have created an A2 research page of the meaning behind each of the colours.

Ultramarine is the key colour in many of the paintings of the Madonna and child, where the virgin is always shown wearing it or being surrounding by a mass of ultramarine fabric. The name 'Ultramarine' comes from the Latin 'Ultramarinus' which literally means ''beyond the sea'' because the pigment was imported into Europe during the 14th and 15th century. During the Renaissance, ultramarine was the finest and most expensive blue that could be used by painters. European artists such as Sassoferrato used the pigment sparingly, reserving their highest quality blues for the robes of Mary and Christ Child. This was evident upon visiting these paintings in The National Gallery and was the first thing which drew my attention towards them. The symbolic interpretation of the ultramarine blue that was used so extensively in the Byzantine and Renaissance periods is the idea that it reflect clam, tranquillity and purity. The mass of blue fabric which often surround May's body and pools around her feet signifies that she is the queen of heaven. The colour is also thought to compare the blessed virgin to the air that we breath since the colour blue is a true symbol of purity and immaculate conception.

Ultramarine is therefore a significant symbol which is associated with the mother. this is something I will look to use within my portfolio.

The colour of Yellow and gold which is often seen in these paintings is a symbolism of the remembrance of the spiritual world as well as miracles, harmony and sustenance of the soul. The colour is often shown as a halo above the virgins head and the child's. And so relates to the idea that the virgin Mary was indeed blessed with a miracle of having a child.

The colour of pink is often seen in the robe white the virgin Marys wears. This is evident in many of the paintings I have analysed of Sassoferrato. Pink is thought to symbolise eternal innocence and immaculate conception.

Lastly, White if often the colour in white the baby Jesus is surrounded in. It is a sign of innocence, birth and youth. This perfectly relates to the portrayal of a child in paintings.

 

Since researching the meaning behind each of these colours, I have a better understanding of the usage of symbolism in these paintings. This is a concept I hope to develop and use within my final piece.