Sculptors Mannerism
Amico Aspertini was an Italian Renaissance painter, draughtsman, and sculptor, considered one of the leading representatives of the Bolognese school of painting.
He was trained in the family workshop and was influenced by the artists of the Ferrara school, Ercole de'Roberti, Lorenzo Costa, and Francesco Francia. He worked as a painter and sculptor, and was also an excellent draughtsman, as evidenced by his many surviving drawings and sketches. Contemporaries marveled at his complex and impulsive character and noted that he worked with both hands simultaneously.
Aspertini painted splendid portraits as well as numerous frescoes and altarpiece paintings in chapels and churches in Italy. Many of his works are eccentric and eclectic, even whimsically fantastical, his complex style anticipating 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.
Giovanni da Bologna, also known as Jean de Boulogne (French), Giambologna (Italian), Fiammingo (Italian) and Jehan Boulongne (Flemish), was the last significant Italian Renaissance sculptor, with a large workshop producing large and small works in bronze and marble in a late Mannerist style.
Blas de Prado, a distinguished Spanish painter, was born around 1545 in Camarena, near Toledo. A pupil of Alonso Berruguete, Prado is renowned for his contributions to Spanish Renaissance art. His works, characterized by their classical and naturalistic styles, reflect a deep understanding of Italian influences and a mastery in portraiture.
Prado's career was predominantly centered in Toledo, where he created numerous works for local churches and also received patronage from the Spanish royal court. His painting style is noted for its blend of Italian classicism and Venetian color influences, visible in his religious and portrait works. One of his significant contributions to Spanish art was introducing still-life painting, as noted by the art theorist Francisco Pacheco.
Among Prado's most notable works is "The Holy Family with Saints Ildephonsus, John the Evangelist and the Master Alonso de Villegas" (1589), which is housed in the Museo del Prado, Madrid. This masterpiece showcases his skill in blending monumental Italian classicism with realistic portrayal. His other significant works include "The Descent from the Cross" at Valencia Cathedral, showcasing influences from Michelangelo, and a series of frescoes in the chapel of the Quinta de Mirabel, Toledo.
Prado's legacy extends beyond his paintings. His influence as a teacher is evident in the works of his students, like Juan Sánchez Cotán, a significant figure in Spanish still-life painting. Blas de Prado's artistry left an indelible mark on the Spanish Renaissance, making him a figure of immense interest to collectors and experts in art and antiques.
For enthusiasts looking to delve deeper into the world of Spanish Renaissance art, especially the works of Blas de Prado, subscribing to our updates can be a rewarding journey. Our updates provide exclusive information on new product sales and auction events related to Prado's works, helping collectors and art aficionados stay informed about this illustrious artist. Sign up today and join a community passionate about the richness of Spanish art history.
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.
Paul Mersmann was a German sculptor, painter, and writer, renowned for his unique contributions to art and culture. His early works, created around 1960, exhibit a transition from late surrealism to mannerism, showcasing a deep engagement with European post-baroque painting. Notably, Mersmann's paintings, such as "Furore," reflect the horrors of war through a psychological lens rather than realistic depictions.
In the 1980s, Paul Mersmann embarked on a series of murals, including notable works in the Villa Glücklich in Wiesbaden and the "Hic est finis maris" mural in Schaidt. His art provides a profound commentary on the nature of art and its evolving context throughout history. These pieces are celebrated for their originality and complexity, offering a rich narrative that blends artistic expression with cultural and historical insights.
Paul Mersmann's contributions extended beyond painting to include watercolor works and sculptures, such as the "Adlermensch" and "Rosmerta" from the late 1980s and early 1990s. His diverse body of work reflects a deep intellectual engagement with art, making his contributions invaluable to collectors and experts in the fields of art and antiques.
For those interested in exploring Mersmann's legacy further, his works and their significance offer a fascinating journey into the intersection of art, culture, and history. To stay informed about new product sales and auction events related to Paul Mersmann, consider signing up for updates, ensuring you remain connected to the evolving narrative of this distinguished artist's impact on the art world.
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 Cesare Procaccini was an illustrious Italian painter and sculptor of the Baroque period, celebrated for his dynamic and expressive works. Born in Bologna and later moving to Milan, Procaccini's artistry was deeply influenced by the emotional intensity of Mannerism and the vibrant colorism of Venetian painting, signaling the dawn of the Baroque era.
Procaccini's oeuvre includes significant altarpieces such as the "Circumcision" now in the Galleria Estense in Modena, and the "Last Supper" for the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato in Genoa. His collaboration with artists like Giovanni Battista Crespi and Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli under the patronage of Cardinal Federico Borromeo highlighted his pivotal role in the Milanese art scene. Moreover, Procaccini's "Ecce Homo" at the Dallas Museum of Art and "The Agony in the Garden" at the Prado Museum in Madrid exemplify his mastery in depicting religious narratives with profound emotion and technical sophistication.
Procaccini's journey through the art world was marked by his initial work as a sculptor, later transitioning to painting, where he left a lasting legacy. Commissioned to paint scenes commemorating the life of Cardinal Carlo Borromeo in Milan Cathedral, his style evolved to exhibit increased clarity and a brighter palette, indicative of his maturation as an artist. His exposure to the works of Rubens and his travels across Italy allowed him to absorb and reinterpret the stylistic elements of Caravaggio, Correggio, and Parmigianino, enriching his own artistic language.
Though not represented in London's National Gallery, Procaccini's paintings grace collections across Europe and beyond, with notable works in the north of England, including "The Mocking of Christ" at Museums Sheffield and "The Raising of the Cross" at the National Galleries of Scotland. These pieces demonstrate his skillful use of color and ability to convey the physical and emotional weight of biblical stories.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Giulio Cesare Procaccini represents a fascinating study in the transition from Mannerism to Baroque, embodying the emotional depth and innovative spirit of early 17th-century Italian art. His contributions to the Baroque period remain a testament to his versatility and enduring appeal.
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