The Return of Mantegna

Slightly modified for the sake of comparison, one easily identifies Mantegna's "Dead Christ" in this screencap from the decade-old "The Return," their most striking similarity, other than the iconic foreshortening, being the turned down hands. Moreover, the work is something of a key needed for an otherwise vague, loosely mythological plot. It concerns the tension between two brothers and a long-absent father. The Mantegna connection refashions the stranger as Christlike, who teaches the children difficult lessons and will die for their sins of suspicion and distrust.

Note, general agreement among art historians indicates that the women depicted in the painting are likely later additions, which helps support Zvyagintsev's cinematography.

Andrey Zvyagintsev – "The Return" (2003, left)

Seen here...
Andrea Mantegna – "Dead Christ" (c. 1480s)

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[Art Edition] This blog is intended as a space within which I will share my findings related to classical music appropriation. Many composers in the past have quoted, borrowed, and recycled the themes and melodies of others. Having already noted many such instances, I hope to include the more interesting, and convincing, examples herein.