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 — John Shaqi
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
Gio. Maria Chiodarolo, a rival of the preceding, and subsequently of
Innocenzo da Imola, in the palace of Viola, left behind him a name above
the generality of this school. Malvasia mentions twenty-four other scholars
of Francesco Francia, in which he was followed by Orlandi, when treating of
Lorenzo Gandolfi. By some mistake these pupils are referred by him to
Costa; while Bottari, misled by Orlandi, fell into the same error, although
he laments "that men, in order to spare trouble, are apt to follow one
another like sheep or cranes." Yet in very extensive and laborious works it
is difficult sometimes not to nod; nor should I occasionally note down
others' inequalities, except in the hope of finding readers considerate
enough to extend the same liberality towards mine. The forementioned names
will prove of much utility to those who, in Milan, in Pavia, in Parma, and
other places in Italy, may turn their attention to works in the ancient
Bolognese style, and may hear them attributed, as it often happens, to
Francia, instead of the pupils formed by him to practice in those
districts, and invariably tenacious of his manner. He had also others, who
from their intercourse with more modern artists, claim place in a better
epoch; and for such we shall reserve them.
We must previously however take a survey of some cities of Romagna, and
select what seems to belong to our present argument. We shall commence with
Ravenna, a city that preserved design during periods of barbarism better
than any other in Italy. Nor do we elsewhere meet with works in mosaic so
well composed, and in ivory, or in marble, cut in so able a manner; all
vestiges of a power and grandeur worthy of exciting the jealousy of Rome,
when the seat of her princes and exarchs was removed to Ravenna. This city
too having fallen from its splendour, and after many vicissitudes being
governed by the Polentani, was no less indebted to them for an illustrious
poet in the person of Dante, than a great painter in Giotto.[6] This artist
painted in the church called Porto di Fuori, several histories from the
evangelists, which still remain there; and at S. Francesco and other places
in the city, we may trace reliques of his pencil, or at least of his style.
The Polentani being expelled, and the state brought under the subjection of
Venice, from this last capital the city of Ravenna derived the founder of a
new school.
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