Old Masters | New Perspectives: Masterworks from The Alana Collection
Iacopo Negretti, best known as Jacopo or Giacomo Palma il Giovane or simply Palma Giovane ("Young Palma"), was an Italian painter from Venice and a notable exponent of the Venetian school. After Tintoretto's death (1594), Palma became Venice's dominant artist perpetuating his style. Outside Venice, he received numerous commissions in the area of Bergamo, then part of the Venetian Domini di Terraferma, and in Central Europe, most prominently from the connoisseur emperor Rudolph II in Prague. Rejecting Mannerism in the 1580s, he embraced a reformist naturalism.[6] He varied the ingeniously synthesised amalgam according to subject matter and patrons' own eclectic and conservative tastes, with "virtuoso skill and a facile intelligence". Palma il Giovane went on to organize his own, large studio which he used to produce a repetitive series of religious and allegorical pictures that can be found throughout the territory of the Venetian Republic.
Fra Angelico, a name synonymous with the serenity and purity of Early Renaissance art, was a Dominican friar and Italian painter celebrated for his devout and luminous religious works. Born Guido di Pietro around 1395 in Vicchio, near Florence, he later became known as Fra Giovanni upon joining the Dominican order at Fiesole. His monastic life profoundly influenced his art, reflecting a deep spiritual commitment and a heavenly tranquility. Pope John Paul II recognized his sanctity by beatifying him in 1982, officially bestowing upon him the title "Blessed" and affirming his legacy as a bridge between heaven and earth through his art.
Fra Angelico's technical prowess and innovative approaches to composition and color set new standards in the art world. He was initially trained as an illuminator, which is evident in the delicate details and luminous quality of his works. His art was not confined by his religious duties; instead, his position allowed him to advance the Dominican order's mission through visually compelling narratives that spoke directly to the viewer's soul. His works, including altarpieces and frescoes, are revered for their serene religious attitude and classical influence, embodying the Early Renaissance spirit that sought to harmonize Christian themes with the natural world and human emotion.
Among his most notable contributions are the frescoes at the convent of San Marco in Florence, commissioned by Cosimo de' Medici. These works display Angelico's mastery over perspective and his ability to create a spiritual atmosphere that invites contemplation. The Annunciation, one of his most famous frescoes at San Marco, exemplifies his use of architectural space to frame the sacred narrative, integrating the divine with the everyday. His altarpieces, characterized by their detailed figures and harmonious compositions, were innovative in their unified presentation of sacred stories, moving away from the segmented Gothic style towards a more cohesive and immersive narrative experience.
Fra Angelico's influence extended beyond his lifetime, shaping the trajectory of Renaissance art through his integration of humanistic principles with devout Christian faith. His works are preserved in some of the world's most prestigious museums, including the Museo Diocesano in Cortona, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Museo del Convento di San Marco in Florence, continuing to inspire awe and reverence among viewers.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, the legacy of Fra Angelico offers a window into the soul of the Renaissance, where beauty and spirituality converge. To stay informed about new product sales and auction events related to this pivotal artist, signing up for updates is a prudent step towards enriching one's collection with works that embody the zenith of religious and artistic expression in the Early Renaissance.
Alessandro Allori, full name Alessandro di Cristofano di Lorenzo del Bronzino Allori, was an Italian painter of the Florentine school of late Mannerism.
Allori was one of the major artists of Florence in the late 16th century. He painted prostrate images and portraits. His son Cristofano Allori (1577-1621) also became an artist.
Sodoma (Italian: Il Sodoma), born Giovanni Antonio Bazzi, was an Italian painter of the Sienese school of painting.
Il Sodoma belongs to the outstanding masters of the High Renaissance and Early Mannerism.
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Perino del Vaga (nickname of Piero Bonaccorsi) was an Italian painter and draughtsman of the Late Renaissance/Mannerism.
Del Vaga's style was renowned for his vitality and elegance. His paintings are considered important in the mediation between the Roman Raphaelesque tradition and the first Florentine Mannerism. He combined the manners of Raphael and Andrea del Sarto. Many of his works were engraved, even in his own lifetime. Daniele da Volterra, Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta, Luzio Romano and Marcello Venusti were among his principal assistants.
Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian polymath of the High Renaissance, celebrated as a painter, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor, and architect. His remarkable abilities and innovative thinking made him an epitome of the Renaissance humanist ideal. Born in Vinci, near Florence, in 1452, Leonardo was educated in Florence by Andrea del Verrocchio, a renowned painter and sculptor. He began his career in Florence, later working in Milan, Rome, and France, where he died in 1519.
Da Vinci is revered for his artistic mastery, technological innovation, and scientific inquiry. Despite having fewer than 25 major works attributed to him, including several unfinished ones, his influence on Western art is profound. His magnum opus, the "Mona Lisa," housed in the Louvre Museum, Paris, is considered the world's most famous painting. "The Last Supper," his most reproduced religious painting, showcases his mastery of dramatic narrative and pictorial illusionism. Both paintings exhibit Leonardo's unique ability to convey complex human emotions and his innovative use of techniques like sfumato and chiaroscuro.
Leonardo's interests extended far beyond fine art. He was a visionary in multiple fields, including anatomy, physics, architecture, and mechanics. His notebooks reveal designs for machines like bicycles, helicopters, and military tanks, centuries ahead of their time. However, due to his diverse interests, he left many projects and paintings incomplete. Leonardo's final years were spent in France, where he continued his artistic and scientific pursuits until his death.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Leonardo da Vinci remains a figure of endless fascination. His works not only embody the pinnacle of Renaissance art but also provide insights into the era's scientific and philosophical inquiry. To stay updated on new sales and auction events related to Leonardo da Vinci, sign up for our newsletter. This subscription is a gateway to exploring the rich legacy of this unparalleled artist and inventor.
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Bernardo Daddi, an Italian painter born in the late 13th century, emerged as a pivotal figure in the early Renaissance, particularly within the Florentine school of painting. Operating in Florence between 1280 and 1348, Daddi's oeuvre is renowned for its devout spiritual essence and the delicate finesse of its execution, marking a significant departure from the Byzantine traditions that dominated the era.
Daddi's art is distinguished by its intimate scale, refined attention to detail, and vibrant narrative compositions, which were primarily religious in nature. His works are celebrated for their clarity, color, and emotional depth, contributing to the evolution of painting during a period rich in cultural and artistic exploration. Among his notable contributions, the "Madonna and Child" triptychs and frescoes in Florence stand as testaments to his skill and spiritual devotion.
Bernardo Daddi's influence extended beyond his lifetime, setting the stage for the blossoming of Renaissance art. His paintings, housed in prestigious museums and churches, offer a window into the soul of 14th-century Italy, reflecting the period's complex interplay between faith, art, and society.
For collectors and art history aficionados, Daddi's works represent not just aesthetic achievements but also historical artifacts that capture the essence of an era on the cusp of the Renaissance. His legacy, embedded in the fabric of Italian art history, continues to inspire and captivate those who seek to unravel the origins of Renaissance painting.
Intrigued by Bernardo Daddi's mastery and his contribution to the dawn of the Renaissance? Sign up for updates to stay informed about the latest sales, exhibitions, and auction events featuring his work. This subscription is your gateway to the world of art collecting, offering exclusive insights into opportunities to own a piece of history.
