Lives of the most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 06 (of 10): Fra Giocondo to Niccolo SoggiVasari, Giorgio
History
Lives of the most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 06 (of 10): Fra Giocondo to Niccolo Soggi
Vasari, Giorgio
Art, Italian; Artists -- Italy -- Biography
But to return to the subject of engraving: the works of Albrecht Duerer
induced Lucas of Holland to follow in his steps to the best of his
power. After the works already mentioned, Lucas engraved on copper four
scenes from the life of Joseph, and also the four Evangelists, the three
Angels who appeared to Abraham in the Valley of Mamre, Susannah in the
Bath, David praying, Mordecai riding in Triumph on Horseback, Lot made
drunk by his Daughters, the Creation of Adam and Eve, God commanding
them that they shall not eat of the Fruit from the Tree that He points
out to them, and Cain killing his brother Abel; all which sheets were
published in the year 1529. But that which did more than anything else
to bring renown and fame to Lucas, was a large sheet in which he
represented the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ; with another wherein Pilate
is showing Him to the people, saying, "Ecce Homo!" These sheets, which
are large, and contain a great number of figures, are held to be
excellent; as are, likewise, one with a Conversion of S. Paul, and
another showing him being led, blind, into Damascus. And let these works
suffice to prove that Lucas may be numbered among those who have handled
the burin with ability.
The scenes of Lucas are very happy in composition, being executed with
such clearness and so free from confusion, that it seems certain that
the action represented could not have taken place in any other way; and
they are arranged more in accordance with the rules of art than those of
Albrecht. Besides this, it is evident that he used a wise discretion in
the engraving of his works, for the reason that all those parts which
recede little by little into the distance are less strongly defined in
proportion as they are lost to view, even as natural objects become less
clear to the eye when seen from afar. Indeed, he executed them with such
thoughtful care, and made them so soft and well blended, that they would
not be better in colour; and his judicious methods have opened the eyes
of many painters. The same master engraved many little plates: various
figures of Our Lady, the twelve Apostles with Christ, many Saints, both
male and female; arms and helmet-crests, and other suchlike things. Very
beautiful is a peasant who is having a tooth drawn, and is feeling such
pain, that he does not notice that meanwhile a woman is robbing his
purse. All these works of Albrecht and Lucas have brought it about that
many other Flemings and Germans after them have printed similar sheets
of great beauty.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account