This king has deferentially removed his crown and placed it on the ground directly beneath Mary. Hierarchy of scale is used, as the individuals shown in the front or lower level are larger than those in the background, also the animals are smaller. There is little over lapping used to differentiate placement, foreshortening of the limbs is used but over all the significant characters are approximately the same size.
The composition of this painting is very imaginative. In the upper portion of the composition, four angels are shown. The first on the left has her arm extended downwards towards two erect, standing, hooded Shepherds shown with their sheep, each wearing humble brown robes indicating their status, also indicating the winter season. Representing the annunciation of the birth, this angel is foreshortened as she emerges from the clouds, with only her frontal portion visible. The next two angels are reaching towards the heavens with their arms extended, their brightly colored robes, contrasting against the gold ground, enhances the luminous quality of the sky surrounding them. The upper bodies are visible rising from behind the mountain. The entire space is filled with action as the angels raise their hands, the star of Bethlehem is shown as gold on the blue brown of the mountain, which keeps the opposing colors alive and active. .
The next level has a very different theme. Mary is reclining under the shelter of the barn. An angel her eyes gazing down at Mary with her elbows resting on the roof with her hands clasped in prayer, lends itself to a feeling of safety and comfort. In the central position of the picture plane The Mother of Christ is obviously tired. She is robed in royal blue, her halo encompassing the background surrounding of her head and shoulders indicating her position as a very important figure. She reclines on a bright orange cloth after giving birth. The two royal colors oppose greatly with the humble bed on which she rests.
When I first saw the painting "Epiphany- by the Italian Giotto di Bondone, my mind took me back to that Catholic Church where I spent that scary day of my six-year-old life. ... This would explain why Giotto di Bondone's painting "Epiphany- is my computer's desktop wallpaper. ...
