The artwork, known as the “Pesaro Altarpiece (predella),” was created by Giovanni Bellini between 1471 and 1474. This oil painting on wood is an exemplary piece of the Early Renaissance art movement, with dimensions of 40 x 42 cm. This religious painting is currently housed at Ca’ Pesaro, the International Gallery of Modern Art, in Venice, Italy.
In the artwork, a dynamic scene unfolds under a dramatic sky. A divine figure, presumably Jesus, emerges from the clouds, extending an arm towards the chaos below. The scene depicts three horses, each ridden by figures in various states of turmoil, with some struggling to control their mounts. At the foreground, a fallen figure in armor reclines on the ground, possibly shielding his eyes or reacting to the divine apparition above. The horses’ energetic movements and the intense expressions of the figures contribute to the vivid portrayal of the scene, characteristic of Bellini’s mastery in composition and emotional depth.
