Description
Italian Renaissance painter Domenico Ghirlandaio's work "Madonna with San Giovannino" draws much attention for the strange object floating behind Madonna's head. Some believe it looks like a UFO, which could be an indication of the earliest alien sightings dating back to the 15th century.
The painting of the Madonna with Saint Giovannino has also been attributed to Jacopo del Sellaio and Sebastiano Mainardi; but it's not speculation about the work's creator that draws the crowds, but claims by extraterrestrial theorists that it clearly depicts an alien object. Because floating in the background, just above the Virgin's left shoulder, is an oval-shaped object and below it is a man who seems to be looking at the strange shape in the sky, while at his feet his dog seems to be barking. . in that.
A multitude of bright beams of light are emitted from the alleged UFO which appears to be a substantial construction and it is this that convinces some people that the shape is a flying saucer.
Others believe that the object is a representation of the passage from the Gospel of Luke: "Shepherds staying in the field tending their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. ."
Two other suggestions that have been used by extraterrestrial theorists are that the Virgin has deliberately positioned herself so that she can protect the children on her lap and that her halo, which appears vaporous, is possibly diminished by the object in the sky.
In truth, many artists inserted symbols into their artwork, random pieces of iconography to please the pious and potential buyers of their artwork. The object painted here by Ghirlandaio could simply be his interpretation of an angelic presence or a representation of a shining star, as to the left of the painting is a representation of the Nativity star.
We leave it up to the viewer to decide if the object in question is an extraterrestrial, ethereal or simply religious iconography.
We guess it all depends on the viewer's perspective and which side of the alien debate they are on.