Old Masters — ART AND ANTIQUES & MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART
Sandro Botticelli, an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance, was renowned for his exquisite works that beautifully merged classical mythology with religious themes. Born Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi in Florence around 1445, Botticelli became a pivotal figure in the Florentine art scene under the patronage of the Medici family. His education under Filippo Lippi honed his skills in painting, leading to a unique style that emphasized linear grace and ethereal beauty. Botticelli's art is celebrated for its elegance and for capturing the spirit of the Renaissance, a period marked by a rebirth of interest in classical antiquity and humanistic values.
Botticelli's oeuvre includes iconic mythological paintings like "The Birth of Venus" and "Primavera," both housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. These masterpieces are distinguished by their allegorical complexity and the delicate portrayal of figures that seem to transcend the earthly realm, reflecting Botticelli's interest in blending myth with a narrative style that appeals to the viewer's sense of wonder and contemplation. His religious works, characterized by expressive emotion and devotional intensity, also earned him acclaim, particularly his contributions to the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
Despite his success, Botticelli's later years were marked by a shift in style influenced by the somber preachings of Savonarola, leading to a preference for more devotional themes. His reputation waned posthumously until the late 19th century, when a resurgence of interest in his work restored Botticelli to his rightful place as a master of the Renaissance. Today, Botticelli is regarded as an artist whose works encapsulate the innovative spirit of his time, bridging the Gothic tradition with the emerging Renaissance aesthetic. His legacy endures, inspiring art lovers and collectors who are drawn to the ethereal beauty and rich symbolism of his paintings.
For those captivated by the allure of Renaissance art, subscribing for updates on new discoveries, sales, and auction events related to Sandro Botticelli can enrich your appreciation and knowledge of this remarkable artist's contribution to the world of art and culture.
Francesco Solimena was an Italian painter of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. He is known as a representative of the Neapolitan school of late Baroque painting. The painter's creativity was highly appreciated by his contemporaries, during his long career he earned a large fortune by selling his works. The artist's biography is closely linked to Naples, the city in which the great genius spent most of his life.
Francesco Solimena was devoted to the religious genre, for which he was often called "Abbot Ciccio" during his lifetime. He educated many famous artists. Solimena's paintings are now in museums in St. Petersburg (Hermitage), London (National Gallery), New York (Metropolitan Museum of Art), Paris (Louvre) and other cities.
Carlo Cignani was an Italian painter, a representative of the Bolognese Baroque school.
Although he was educated in Bologna, he was more influenced by Correggio. The last 20 years of his life the artist spent in Forli, engaged in painting churches. The fresco "Assumption of the Virgin" in the dome of the cathedral of Forlì was painted by Cignani on the motives of the painting of the dome of the Cathedral of Parma, made by Correggio.
His son Felice (1660-1724) and nephew Paolo (1709-1764) were also artists.
Raffaello Santi was an Italian artist, famously known for his contributions to the world of culture and art. Born in Urbino, Italy, in 1483, Raffaello Santi, commonly known as Raphael, was a renowned painter and architect during the Italian Renaissance. His exceptional talents in the realms of painting and sculpture have left an indelible mark on the art world, earning him a place among the greatest artists of all time.
Raphael's works are celebrated for their exquisite detail, harmonious compositions, and the graceful beauty of his subjects. He is best known for his remarkable frescoes in the Vatican Palace, including the famous "School of Athens," which exemplifies his mastery in blending classical antiquity with contemporary artistic sensibilities. His ability to capture the human form with unparalleled accuracy and sensitivity has earned him a reputation as a true virtuoso.
Among his other notable works are "The Sistine Madonna" and "The Transfiguration," both of which showcase his exceptional skills in portraying religious subjects with a captivating emotional depth. These paintings, along with many others, are now cherished treasures in museums and galleries worldwide, drawing art enthusiasts and experts alike to admire Raphael's timeless creations.
For collectors and art connoisseurs, Raphael's works are highly sought after, not only for their historical significance but also for their aesthetic appeal. His pieces continue to command great value in the art market, making them a valuable addition to any art collection.
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Cornelis van Poelenburgh was a Dutch landscape painter and draftsman of the Dutch Golden Age of painting. He was a leading representative of the first generation of Dutch landscape painters who worked in Rome in the early 17th century. In a group of fellow Dutch Bentvueghels he was nicknamed Satyr. Pulenbrüerg was known for his small paintings depicting Italian landscapes with small figures depicting biblical or mythological scenes.
Jan Brueghel the Elder, a Flemish painter born in 1568 in Brussels, was a pivotal figure in the Baroque period known for his intricate landscapes, detailed still lifes, and genre scenes. The son of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Jan was distinguished by his delicate brushwork, earning him the nicknames "Velvet" Brueghel, "Flower" Brueghel, and "Paradise" Brueghel, each reflecting a different aspect of his versatile artistic output. His monikers refer to his skill in rendering fabrics, his specialization in flower still lifes, and his creation of the paradise landscape genre, respectively.
After early training in Brussels, possibly under the guidance of his grandmother Mayken Verhulst, and further studies in Antwerp, Brueghel ventured to Italy, where he worked in Rome under the patronage of Cardinal Ascanio Colonna and met influential artists like Paul Bril. His Italian sojourn greatly influenced his style, especially in landscape painting. Upon returning to Antwerp, he established a flourishing workshop and became a master in the Guild of St. Luke. Brueghel's collaborations with Peter Paul Rubens are among the most celebrated in art history, showcasing a harmonious blend of landscape and figure painting.
Jan Brueghel the Elder's works are prized for their vibrant depiction of nature and meticulous attention to detail. His landscapes are not just backdrops but are lively settings filled with rich narratives and a variety of creatures, reflecting his deep appreciation for the natural world. His flower pieces are equally renowned for their variety and realism, often serving as allegorical or symbolic representations.
Brueghel's legacy extends beyond his paintings; he was a pivotal figure in the Antwerp artistic community, serving as dean of the Guild of St. Luke and court painter to the Archduke Albert of Austria and the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain. His influence continued through his children, with his son Jan Brueghel the Younger continuing his workshop and maintaining the family's artistic traditions.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Jan Brueghel the Elder's works represent a high point in Flemish Baroque art, offering a glimpse into the era's aesthetic values and the artist's profound observation of the world around him. His paintings, found in museums and galleries worldwide, continue to captivate audiences with their beauty and depth.
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Giuseppe Cesari was an Italian Mannerist painter, also named Il Giuseppino and called Cavaliere d'Arpino, because he was created Cavaliere di Cristo by his patron Pope Clement VIII. He was much patronized in Rome by both Clement and Sixtus V. He was the chief of the studio in which Caravaggio trained upon the younger painter's arrival in Rome.
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Jacopo Robusti Tintoretto was an Italian painter, a significant figure in the Venetian school, and one of the most notable artists of the late Renaissance. Born in Venice in 1518, Tintoretto was known for his rapid painting technique and bold brushwork, which both fascinated and sparked debate among his contemporaries. His early aspirations were evident when he was briefly apprenticed to Titian, a relationship that ended abruptly due to a clash of personalities or Titian's possible jealousy of Tintoretto's talent. Despite this setback, Tintoretto's self-driven studies, particularly his admiration for Michelangelo's drawing and Titian's coloring, shaped his artistic development.
Tintoretto's body of work is distinguished by its dramatic gestures and muscular figures, set in dynamic compositions with a masterful use of perspective and lighting, hallmarks of the Mannerist style. His paintings are celebrated for their emotional intensity and theatricality, elements that prefigured the Baroque movement. Among his numerous contributions to art and culture, Tintoretto's work in the Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice stands out, showcasing his skill in creating narrative and spiritual depth across a vast series of canvases dedicated to biblical stories and the life of Christ.
Significant works by Tintoretto include "The Last Supper" at San Giorgio Maggiore, which exemplifies his innovative approach to this traditional religious subject, and "The Miracle of the Slave," demonstrating his ability to convey divine intervention with dynamic realism. His legacy extends beyond his death in 1594, with his influence resonating in the works of later artists and contributing to the development of Baroque art.
Tintoretto's dedication to his craft and his unique approach to painting made him a pivotal figure in the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque period. His works are housed in prestigious museums and galleries worldwide, continuing to inspire and captivate audiences with their intensity and beauty.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Tintoretto's oeuvre represents not only a high point of Venetian painting but also a bridge between eras in art history. His innovative techniques and expressive style offer rich insights into the evolving aesthetics of his time.
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Charles Le Brun was a French painter, draftsman and chief decorator of the Palace of Versailles.
Charles came from an educated and respected family, trained in painting in Italy and very soon his talents were appreciated in the highest circles of France. In 1660 Le Brun painted "The Family of Darius before Alexander", which brought him the reputation of a brilliant French painter, and in 1664 he received the position of the first painter of the king. Thereafter he received more and more commissions and more honors.
From 1662 Le Brun controlled all the artistic projects of the royal court. In the Palace of Versailles, Lebrun created beautiful decorations: the Ambassadors' Staircase, the Hall of Mirrors, the Peace Room and the War Room. In each of his designs, he emphasized the king's achievements. He was also responsible for the decoration of the State Apartments, which was entrusted to the greatest artists of the time, who worked from his drawings. Le Brun also designed most of the statues in the park at Versailles. This enormous work cemented his reputation as a true seventeenth-century genius, as well as one of the founders, ideologues, and chief representatives of the classicist "grand style" of King Louis XIV's era.
In 1648 Le Brun became a founding member of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, and in 1663 - the manager of the Manufacture of tapestries.
Charles Le Brun was not only the creator of the "grand style", but also contributed to the rebirth of classicism into academism.
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, a Dutch Baroque painter and printmaker, was born on July 15, 1606, in Leiden, Netherlands, and died on October 4, 1669, in Amsterdam. He is celebrated as one of the greatest storytellers in art history, acclaimed for his adept portrayal of human emotions and dramatic narratives. Rembrandt's extensive oeuvre includes portraits, self-portraits, landscapes, genre scenes, allegorical, historical, and biblical themes, as well as animal studies. His artistry shined during the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by cultural and scientific achievements in the Netherlands.
Rembrandt's education in art began around the age of 10 when he left the Latin School in Leiden to train as an artist. He apprenticed with artists like Jacob van Swanenburg and Pieter Lastman, mastering various aspects of painting. He opened his own studio in Leiden around 1624 or 1625, sharing it with his colleague Jan Lievens. By 1631, he had moved to Amsterdam, where he achieved significant success and trained many important Dutch painters.
Among Rembrandt's notable works are "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp" (1632), "The Night Watch" (1642), and "The Syndics of the Amsterdam Drapers’ Guild" (1662). He was also renowned for his self-portraits, creating around 80 over his lifetime, more than any other artist until the 20th century. These self-portraits were not just artistic endeavors but also experiments with facial expressions and lighting effects. Additionally, Rembrandt was a master etcher, transforming etching from a reproductive technique into an art form.
Rembrandt's painting style is characterized by its dramatic use of light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro. His ability to depict materials realistically was unparalleled; his portrayal of metals and fabrics was so lifelike that they appeared to glow and be tangible. He was also known for his impasto technique, applying paint thickly to the canvas, adding a three-dimensional quality to his works.
Despite his artistic prowess, Rembrandt faced financial difficulties and personal tragedies throughout his life. He declared bankruptcy in 1656, a downfall attributed partly to his extensive collection of art objects and curiosities. His masterpieces, however, continued to garner appreciation and influence generations of artists that followed.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Rembrandt's works represent a pinnacle of artistic achievement in the Dutch Golden Age. His mastery in portraying the human condition and his innovative techniques in painting and etching make his works highly prized and influential in the art world.
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Anton Graff was an eminent Swiss portrait artist. Among his famous subjects were Friedrich Schiller, Christoph Willibald Gluck, Heinrich von Kleist, Frederick the Great, Friederike Sophie Seyler, Johann Gottfried Herder, Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Moses Mendelssohn and Christian Felix Weiße. His pupils included Emma Körner, Philipp Otto Runge and Karl Ludwig Kaaz.
