“Joachim Takes Refuge in the Wilderness” tells the story of the Virgin Mary’s father, Joachim, which takes place at the time before Mary’s birth. The old Joachim is forced to leave the temple due to his inability to produce a child and seeks refuge with shepherds to live in a very simple way. Looking down in humiliation, Joachim waits for the shepherds’ decision, while the hesitant men exchange glances in a perplexing moment. With a constrained palette of sheer lavenders and pinks, Giotto has depicted the figures as stone sculptures, frozen in space, thus reducing the load of strong emotions to convey steadfastness in adversity. Ye, the more sculptured quality of the drapery folds of Joachim’s robe betrays his mixed feelings of confusion and hope. Animals, included in the scene,further articulate meaning: the sheep refer to the Christian flock and the humility of the spirit, and the dog, symbolizing fidelity, turns toward Joachim to suggest acceptance of his circumstances. —Diana Guber, “Giotto’s Religious Scenes “In All Respects Human,” 2020.
Giotto di Bondone, “Joachim Takes Refuge in the Wilderness,” ca. 1305. Fresco in the Arena Chapel, Padua.