The History of Painting in Italy, Vol. 5 (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. 5 (of 6): From the Period of the Revival of the Fine Arts to the End of the Eighteenth Century
Lanzi, Luigi
Painting -- Italy -- History
Leaving aside certain other pupils of Pasinelli, of less account, as
Odoardo Orlandi, or Girolamo Negri, who had a place, however, in the
Dictionary of Painters, we shall close this catalogue with two others, who,
becoming friends in the school of Lorenzo, continued their intimacy to
extreme old age; Giuseppe Gambarini and Gian Pietro Cavazzoni Zanotti.
Gambarini attended the studio of Cesare Gennari, whose rapidity of touch
and power of natural effect, he afterwards retained. He added no dignity of
forms; owing to which his few altar-pieces and other serious subjects
obtained him no reputation. Applying himself subsequently to Flemish
composition, he represented women intent on domestic affairs, boys'
schools, mendicants begging alms, with similar popular objects, copied
faithfully from life; in all which he abounded with commissions. At Bologna
such familiar pieces by him and his able pupil Gherardini are very common,
and please by their spirit and their exactness. Sometimes he represented
also serious subjects, as in that picture in Casa Ranuzzi, exhibiting the
coronation of Charles V. during the government of a Gonfalonier of the
family.
Zanotti is well known among the writers on pictoric subjects; and few have
been more successful in wielding with equal excellence both pencil and pen.
His "Directions for the Progress of young Artists" contain some learned
maxims, which were meant to stem the corruption of the art, by rescuing it
from a low mechanical manner, and replacing it upon its true principles.
Upon the same maxims he composed his "History of the Clementine Academy,"
although he was not enabled to adopt corresponding freedom of style; having
there written the lives of the academicians, then lately deceased, or still
alive. This work, printed by Lelio dalla Volpe, in 1739, with a splendor
nearly unknown, up to that period, in Italy, excited some degree of
indignation in good artists, who found, next their own, many names of mere
mediocrity distinguished by portraits and lives, on a footing with
themselves. The complaints raised by Spagnuolo, are recorded by the Canon
Crespi in his Felsina, (p. 227, &c.). Other accusations were doubtless
advanced against him by inferior parties, who, though commended beyond
their merits, secretly, perhaps, believed themselves deserving of still
higher praise. Zanotti, too, inserted notices relating to himself, who held
in that assembly the offices of president and of secretary, for a much
longer period. But domestic and literary matters combined, withdrew his
attention from painting in his maturer years; whence we may date his more
feeble performances, which convey no great idea of him. Before, however, he
had conducted works which exempted him from the pictoric crowd; in which
list we may include his grand picture of an Embassy from the People of
Romagna to the Bolognese, which ornaments the public palace. In private
houses, too, are other compositions, either historical or mythological,
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