Architects Mannerism
Alonso Cano was a multifaceted Spanish artist, renowned for his remarkable contributions in painting, sculpture, and architecture. Born in Granada in 1601, Cano is often celebrated as the "Spanish Michelangelo", a testament to his diverse artistic talents and significant impact on the Baroque era. His career, marked by a blend of Italian Mannerism and Baroque style, was a journey through various Spanish cities, each phase contributing uniquely to his artistic evolution.
In Seville, Cano trained under Francisco Pacheco, where his initial works like "San Francisco de Borja" (Seville Museum of Fine Arts) displayed a blend of Tenebrism and a brighter, more lyrical color palette. This period also saw the birth of works like "La Visión de San Juan" (Wallace Collection, London), signaling a transition in his style. Madrid, however, marked a significant turn in Cano's career. His works for the Buen Retiro Palace and the Alcázar showcase an evolution towards elegant, dynamic Baroque forms with lighter tonalities, influenced by the 16th-century Venetian masters.
Cano's return to Granada in 1652 was a homecoming that not only reinvigorated the Granada School but also marked his most prolific period. His masterpieces during this time include the series of paintings on the life of the Virgin in Granada Cathedral, a remarkable testament to Baroque art. Notably, his "Inmaculada Concepción" (1648) and "Nacimiento de la Virgen" (1663-1664) in the Cathedral stand as crowning achievements of his painterly career.
Equally impressive is Cano's sculptural work, where his polychrome wooden statue of the Immaculate Conception (1655) in Granada Cathedral is often hailed as his magnum opus. Despite sculpture being a secondary focus to his painting, his works, such as the Inmaculada in San Julián Church, Sevilla, and the smaller, yet exquisitely crafted, Inmaculada of the facistol in Granada Cathedral, resonate with the delicate beauty pointing towards Rococo art.
Cano's architectural prowess is exemplified in the design of Granada Cathedral's façade, an original piece of Spanish Baroque architecture. His artistic journey was not just a personal endeavor but a pivotal influence in the transition of Spanish painting towards a more idealist trend alongside Velázquez.
For art collectors and experts, Alonso Cano's works remain a cornerstone of the Baroque era, showcasing a blend of dramatic realism and spiritual depth. His influence extends beyond the boundaries of Granada, leaving an indelible mark on the world of art and culture.
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Giovanni Battista Castello was an Italian historical painter. His best-known works are the paintings on the vault of the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato. He was an architect and sculptor as well as painter. He painted of the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian in the monastery of San Sebastiano. He worked on various projects with his friend Cambiaso, including in a chapel for the Duomo di San Lorenzo.
Santi di Tito was one of the most influential and leading Italian painters of the proto-Baroque style – what is sometimes referred to as "Counter-Maniera" or Counter-Mannerism. Santi completely rejected the maniera of Bronzino, and embraced a classical Reformist and naturalistic style. Santi's mature style is reflected in his masterpiece of the Vision of Saint Thomas Aquinas, also known as Saint Thomas Dedicating His Works to Christ located in the church of San Marco in Florence.
Giovanni Battista (Giambattista) Foggini was an Italian sculptor active in Florence, renowned mainly for small bronze statuary.
Foggini's pupils included Fernando Fuga, his nephew Filippo della Valle, Balthasar Permoser, Giovacchino Fortini and Giovanni Baratta. Massimiliano Soldani Benzi was a contemporary student with Foggini in Rome and also active in small bronze sculpture.
Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem was a Dutch painter, draftsman, and architect. Along with Karel van Mander and Hendrik Goltzius, he is one of the leading artists of the Dutch Mannerism of the Haarlem School, more commonly referred to as Cornelis van Haarlem.
Francesco Primaticcio was an Italian Mannerist painter, architect and sculptor who spent most of his career in France.
Primaticcio's crowded Mannerist compositions and his long-legged canon of beauty influenced French art for the rest of the century.
Giulio Romano, an Italian prodigy in painting and architecture, is celebrated for his dynamic contributions to the Renaissance and Mannerist styles. A pivotal figure in the late Renaissance, Giulio Romano was not only Raphael's principal pupil but also a trusted assistant, inheriting his master's workshop upon his death in 1520.
Giulio Romano's artistic journey began under Raphael's tutelage, where he honed his skills in both painting and architecture. His work vividly reflects the essence of the High Renaissance yet also signals the advent of Mannerism, a style characterized by elongated forms and exaggerated emotions. Notably, Romano's architectural prowess was largely self-taught, developed while assisting Raphael, who was the papal architect during that time.
The Palazzo del Te in Mantua stands as a testament to Giulio Romano's architectural genius. This pleasure palace, begun around 1524 and completed a decade later, showcases his inventive spirit and skill. It's a striking example of how Romano played with classical conventions to create something uniquely expressive. His ability to transform spaces was not just limited to grand structures but also extended to designing gardens and facades, enhancing their aesthetics and functionality.
In painting, Giulio Romano's works such as the Stoning of St. Stephen in Santo Stefano, Genoa, and the Adoration of the Magi in the Louvre, demonstrate his mastery and influence. His fresco "Fire in the Borgo" in the Raphael Rooms of the Vatican City is particularly noteworthy. Romano's drawings and designs, revered for their technical skill and creativity, significantly influenced subsequent artists, including Nicolas Poussin.
For art collectors and experts, the works of Giulio Romano present a fascinating blend of Renaissance classicism and the burgeoning Mannerist style. His contributions in both painting and architecture have left an indelible mark on the history of art and culture.
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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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Giorgio Vasari, polymath of the Italian Renaissance, left an indelible mark on painting, architecture, and art history. Born on July 30, 1511, in Arezzo, Italy, Vasari was deeply influenced by the patronage of the Medici family during his artistic education in Florence. Exposure to the works of Andrea del Sarto and the profound influence of Michelangelo's work shaped his development as an artist and architect. Vasari's artistic career was characterized by his contributions throughout Italy, including significant works in Florence and Rome, and his role in founding the Florentine Academy and the Society of the Fine Arts in 1563 underscores his commitment to art and education.
Vasari's architectural skill is evident in the design of the Uffizi Loggia in Florence, testifying to his ability to combine functionality with aesthetic grandeur, creating a space that harmonizes with the urban landscape while blending into the riverside environment. His contribution extends to the Vasari Corridor, an architectural marvel that connects the Uffizi to Palazzo Pitti across the Arno River, demonstrating his innovative approach to public and private space.
Perhaps Vasari's most enduring legacy stems from his seminal work, Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, in which he outlined biographies of Renaissance artists, laying the foundation for the discipline of art history. This work not only elevated the status of artists in society, but also created a history of the development of art that emphasizes the Renaissance as a period of rebirth and innovation. Vasari's narratives, although their accuracy is sometimes criticized, remain a cornerstone in the study of Renaissance art, offering invaluable insights into the lives and works of the era's most prominent figures.
Vasari's work is represented in prominent museums and galleries, including the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the National Gallery of Art, which houses important works such as the Six Tuscan Poets and works commissioned by the Pope. His architectural and artistic contributions, combined with his innovative historiographical approach, have cemented his reputation as a key figure of the Renaissance and the annals of art history.
Giorgio Vasari's multifaceted contributions to painting, architecture, and art history not only underscore his genius, but also play a key role in shaping our understanding of the Renaissance. His works and writings continue to inspire collectors, experts, and enthusiasts. For those seeking to delve deeper into the world of Renaissance art and Vasari's profound influence, subscribing to updates on new sales and auction events related to Vasari can offer a wealth of information and the opportunity to explore his enduring legacy.
Lambert Zutman, also known under the name Lambertus Suavius, was a multifaceted artist from the Southern Netherlands. He is recognized not only for his work as a fine art painter but also for his skills as an architect, copperplate engraver, and draughtsman. His diverse career took him across Europe, with significant periods in Rome and Frankfurt am Main, where he developed his craft under the influence of Lambert Lombard.
Lambert Zutman is known for his contributions to the arts across multiple mediums, including his engravings and architectural designs. His works, such as the series depicting Christ and the Twelve Apostles, showcase his mastery in engraving and his capacity to imbue religious figures with a vivid sense of presence and individuality. Some of his notable engravings are part of collections in major institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art, highlighting his enduring relevance in the art world.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Zutman's works represent a significant part of the Renaissance art movement in the Low Countries. His contributions to cosmography and his diverse artistic output, spanning architectural sketches to detailed engravings, reflect the rich cultural and historical tapestry of his time.
For those interested in exploring more about Lambert Zutman's life and works, subscribing to updates on exhibitions and sales can provide valuable insights and opportunities to view or acquire his works. This subscription ensures that enthusiasts and collectors stay informed about key events and offerings related to Zutman's artistic legacy.