Formalism and Marxism: The composition of Giovanni di Paolo’s Crucifixion with Donor illustrates hierarchy. The height of the figures themselves represent the different social classes within society. Jesus is the tallest figure, towering above the others making Him the most important figure of the painting.He represents the government. He rules over a group of people, has the power to do anything He pleases, and is treated with the utmost respect by those that agree with Him. The Virgin Mary, the second tallest figure in the painting represents the upper class. She has the closest connection to Jesus, (remembering He’s our government) and can have almost anything she wants by way of her relationship to Him, similar to how the people of the upper class are exempt from paying most taxes. Just as the government officials are treated similar those in the upper class, Jesus and Mary are treated similar. They both receive respect and are looked to for guidance from the rest of society. St. John represents the upper middle class and the middle class. He spends most of his time supporting Jesus and his teachings, just as the middle classes spend most of their earnings paying taxes to fund government expenses. Mary Magdalene is the fourth tallest figure and she represents the working class. She depends on Jesus for guidance in her “new” life, but has learned how not to live her life. The people of the working class depend on the government for minor things like rights to form unions, but overall they can support themselves.The Donor, the shortest figure, represents the lower classes. He has the most dependent relationship with Jesus. He looks to Jesus for spiritual and mental guidance to survival, just as the lower class looks to the government for financial guidance to survive. The death of Jesus in Giovanni di Paolo’s Crucifixion with Donor represents the collapse of the government and all of the chaos it
