The Italian artist, Francesco del Cossa, created an oil painting on a panel during the mid-15th century called Meeting of Solomon and the Queen Sheba. This work is now displayed in the Boston Museum of Fine Art. The plate that identifies the painted tray in the museum explains that this twelve sided tray is a ceremonial tray, most likely in honor of the marriage of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba and given to them as a gift. The back of the tray was against the wall but the identification plate noted that two cupid figures with cornucopias and coral necklaces were painted there to symbolize good luck and fertility.

The most striking part of this work is the symmetry. The symmetrical architectural structures perfectly centers the palace. The dome of the palace perfectly divides the arch behind it; the highest point of the palace perfectly divides the sky within the main arch.

The next most noticeable point of this painting is where the figures of the Queen of Sheba and Solomon stand. They appear to protrude out from the rest of the painting. Each has an out turned foot that comes into the viewer's space. This aspect and the symmetry make it apparent tha

The subjects on either side of the Queen and Solomon are interesting as well. Almost every woman appears to be in the "correct" place. They seem quite proper with their hands clasped in a similar fashion behind the Queen. They appear to be supporting her. The men behind Solomon are less organized. Two men, one in a bright red cloak, appear to be having a conversation of their own, taking away from the important event that is depicted. There is a mysterious man in black in the background at the right. He is leaning against his own small archway; his hat and dress are unlike the others'. He holds a strange red object at his waist. There is also a small woman wearing all black in the lower left part of this painting. She does not display the same darkness that the man does. She could be a nun. Over all, the subjects on the Queen's side of the painting look more stately and supportive than the men on Solomon's side.

This painting evokes me to feel that there is something bad about Solomon. It gives off the feeling of a bad premonition. The dark brewing storm foreshadows, to me, that this event will not end joyously. And the dark details of the left side appear to suggest that the problems that lie ahead will likely be the fault of Solomon.

t the Queen and Solomon are the characters to be focused on.

I wonder how I would have accepted this as a wedding gift. I believe that at first I would find it very beautiful, but then, as I had a chance to study it, I would begin to wonder what Francesco del Cossa meant to convey. Is he really suggesting that the meeting of my husba

Some common words found in the essay are:
Queen Sheba, Queen Solomon, Queen Sheba's, Sheba Solomon, Fine Art, Sheba Italian, queen sheba, francesco del, solomon queen sheba, del cossa, francesco del cossa, Solomon Queen, solomon queen, Meeting Solomon, , meeting solomon queen, meeting solomon, sheba solomon, palace perfectly, palace perfectly divides, perfectly divides, del cossa created, red cloak, queen solomon,
Approximate Word count = 1079
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)