Giovanni Battista Gaulli called Il Baciccio The Triumph of the Name of Jesus часть 2 -- European art Европейская живопись

Here we observe a complex and theatrical composition dominated by swirling movement and intense light. The scene unfolds within a monumental architectural frame, seemingly an archway or portal that draws the eye upward into a celestial realm. This framework is not solid; it appears to be constructed of gilded elements interwoven with billowing clouds and ethereal figures.
The central focus resides in a radiant source of light emanating from behind a cluster of angelic beings. These figures are arranged in dynamic poses, some ascending towards the luminosity while others appear to support or interact with the surrounding architecture. Their expressions range from ecstatic reverence to intense concentration, contributing to the overall sense of dramatic fervor. The artist has employed a warm palette – predominantly golds, yellows, and browns – to amplify the impression of divine glory and spiritual intensity.
Below this elevated spectacle, a multitude of figures are depicted in a more chaotic arrangement. These individuals seem to be prostrate or kneeling, their bodies contorted in postures of submission and adoration. The lower portion of the composition is rendered with less clarity than the upper regions, suggesting a distance from the divine event unfolding above. This deliberate blurring contributes to the sense that these figures are witnesses to something extraordinary, rather than active participants.
The painting’s subtexts revolve around themes of religious exaltation and submission. The architectural frame suggests a transition between earthly existence and a higher spiritual plane. The radiant light symbolizes divine presence and power, while the prostrate figures represent humility and devotion. The overall effect is one of overwhelming spectacle designed to inspire awe and reverence in the viewer. The dynamism inherent in the composition – the swirling clouds, the ascending angels, the contorted bodies – implies an active, transformative force at work, conveying a narrative of spiritual triumph or revelation.