Altarpiece with Scenes from the Life of the Virgin

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Found in the workshop of Gonzalo Perez, in the city of Puerto Mingalvo, "Altarpiece with Scenes from the Life of the Virgin," measures 156"x113 3/4." The artwork was created in 1420-30 and uses tempera and gold leaf on a wooden panel. Most of Perez's work has been found in the Chapel of Santo Domingo in the Cathedral of Valencia. The painting, known as a retablo, as it consists of multiple scenes relating to one theme, depicts the life of the Virgin Mary in a non-chronological order. Surrounding the wooden panel is a carved border with beautiful engravings of flowers and diamond encased leaves. On the left side of the wooden panel, "The Annunciation to the Virgin," "The Adoration of the Kings," ...

... tone of the painting and help give the art a more stylized approach. Aside from flesh tones, Perez uses basic colors such as: red, purple, gold, white, black, and a sparseness of green. Perez uses rich colors to not only accentuate the painting, but to show the differences in the people he is depicting. The artist uses reds to symbolize the saintliness of certain people. Red is used for accents in Mary, most of the disciples, the angels' wings, and Christ. Purple in this particular piece, is used to symbolize royaty, as the kings are shown in purple-toned robes. Perhaps one of the most intriguing uses of color revolves around the Virgin Mary. She is shown

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