Artist Biographies Volume 2; Titian. Guido Reni. Claude Lorraine (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1880 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII. Last Labors.--'The Crucifixion.'--'Ariadne.'--Pathetic IBness.--The Death of Guido. During the last decade of his life, troubled though he was in many ways, Guido executed several resplendent works. Among these was the great votive banner of white silk, called // Pattione del Voto, on which he painted the Madonna in glory, and the four patron-saints of Bologna. This banner was ordered by the Senate, in commemoration of the deliverance of the city from the plague, in 1630; and was borne in the annual processions which celebrated that event. It is now carefully preserved in the picture-gallery of Bologna. Still another production of the same grade was the 'St. Job, ' executed for the guild of silk-merchants, and placed in 1633 in the Mendicanti Church, whence it was removed by the French during Napoleon's invasion of Italy, and has never been returned from France. 'the Crucifixion: 133 Guido had a particular affection for the Capuchins of Bologna, and executed for them the celebrated picture of 'The Crucifixion, ' now in the Bolognese Pinacoteca. Malvasia says: "It would not be believed that designing, however profound and studied, or coloring, however mellow and fleshy, could thus have represented and expressed a torso, the most natural and delicate. The head of the agonizing Redeemer, which is turned towards Heaven, as He breathes out His last words, gives us to know the Incarnate Divinity in that great act; and the grief of the afflicted Virgin and of the beloved disciple, who grow more beautiful, rather than uncomely, in their grief, and the affection of Mary Magdalen, would arouse pity and compassion even in the breast of a tiger." Hillard places this above all other pictures of the crucifixion, "for dignity, pathos, and truth, and for inten...