The History of Painting in Italy, Vol. 3 (of 6): From the Period of the Revival of the Fine Arts to the End of the Eighteenth CenturyLanzi, Luigi
History
The History of Painting in Italy, Vol. 3 (of 6): From the Period of the Revival of the Fine Arts to the End of the Eighteenth Century
Lanzi, Luigi
Painting -- Italy -- History
Finally, after Savoldo, may be placed, among the Brescian disciples of
Titian, Pietro Rosa, son of Cristoforo, and nephew to Stefano Rosa, both
excellent artists in oil. He was one of those pupils whom Titian,
induced by the friendship he bore his father, instructed with most care,
and the best success. Hence it is, we trace that clear and true force of
colouring, which shines in every one of his pieces. Brescia boasts
several, at the church of San Francesco, in the Dome, and at the Grazie,
where such as have the fewest figures produce the happiest effect. In
his composition he is not so perfect as in other parts, whether it were
that he had not naturally the best talent for it, or, as is more
probable, that it is a branch of the art most difficult to young
practitioners. For he died in the outset of his career, at the same
period as his father, in 1576, whether from the plague or from poison is
not known.
Although Bergamo, at that period, boasted many distinguished imitators
of Giorgione, it yet produced an artist, Girolamo Colleoni, who ought to
be included in the present list. Some frescos from his hand are found at
Bergamo, and an oil painting in the Carrara Gallery. It exhibits the
marriage of S. Catherine, which the best judges, on a first view,
pronounced to be the work of Titian, till the superscription, with the
name of _Hieronymus Colleo, 1555_, vindicated it for his own. This
distinguished artist, conscious of his merit, and not finding himself
appreciated in his own country, foreign and inferior painters being
preferred before him, sought better fortune at the court of Madrid. But
before setting out, he painted upon a façade the figure of a horse, of
which great encomiums, in different works, are all that remain; and to
this he affixed as a motto, _Nemo propheta in patriâ_. He is known to
have employed, as an assistant, Filippo Zanchi, who, together with a
brother of the name of Francesco, has more recently been brought into
view by Count Tassi, besides some others who might here add to the
number, but not to the eminence, of so rich a school. An artist
celebrated also by Ridolfi, ought not, in this place, to be omitted; the
beauty of his tints, the design of his infant figures, and the nature of
his landscape, all shewing that he aspired to the Titian manner. He
painted in fresco, but possessed an universal genius, as has been
pronounced by Muzio, in his "Teatro di Bergamo;" the truth of which more
clearly appears from his own works. His name was Giovan-Batista Averara,
and he died young about the middle of the most flourishing period of the
art. Another artist deserving commemoration is Francesco Terzi, who long
resided at the Austrian court, and is distinguished in most of the
capitals of Italy for works he has there left. He has been mentioned by
Lomazzo, in whose native place are still seen, at San Sempliciano, two
noble histories, representing our Lord with his Apostles, somewhat dry
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