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
By Giulio Tonduzzi there is pointed out at Ravenna the Stoning of St.
Stephen, on the large altar of a church consecrated to that saint, a
beautiful picture, but not indisputably proved to be his. I conjecture it
to be a copy of the St. Stephen that decorates the church of Faenza, in
which the whole style of Giulio Romano is apparent; so much so, that it has
been attributed to him, a mistake arising from resemblance of names; but
Tonduzzi is known to have been Giulio's pupil. I omit other productions of
this excellent artist, though I ought to notice, that in the soffitto of S.
Giovanni, he also painted several sacred histories, in competition with all
the first artists, who then flourished at Faenza, on which account that
very cultivated city has preserved the whole of these paintings, although
much defaced by age, in the Lyceum collection, belonging to the commune,
mentioned in other places. I also find one M. Antonio da Faenza, commended
by Civalli for a very excellent picture, possessing fine relief, at the
church of the Conventuali of Monte Lupone, in the Marca, dated 1525.
Contemporary with these must have been Figurino da Faenza, enumerated by
Vasari among the best disciples of Giulio Romano, though I meet with no
mention of him elsewhere. It is conjectured, however, with good reason,
that Figurino was only a surname given to Marc Antonio Rocchetti, a painter
of great reputation at Faenza, who in youth took great delight in minute
drawing, producing, among other pieces, little histories of St. Sebastian,
for the ornament of that church, now destroyed, when they came into
possession of various individuals who treasure them up in the present day.
In maturer years he enlarged his manner, attaching himself to the imitation
of Baroccio, which he did with a simplicity of composition and sweetness of
tints, that made him conspicuous in different churches which he adorned, as
we may gather from the picture of the titular Saint at S. Rocco, with the
year 1604, the latest period which we find mentioned on his productions. In
the Communal collection, also, there is seen a picture of the Virgin, known
in Faenza under the name of the Madonna of the Angels, with a St. Francis,
a holy bishop, and two portraits below. It bears the inscription, _M.
Antonius Rochettus Faventinus pingebat, 1594_. It was requisite to mention
this picture, which I find extolled above all other specimens that have
remained. The name of Niccolo Paganelli, before unknown to us, is also met
with in the Oretti correspondence, contained in a letter of Zanoni, which
we cite in treating of Benedetto Marini. He is supposed to have been a good
pupil of the Roman School, and some attribute to him the fine picture of S.
Martino, in the cathedral of Faenza, the supposed work of Luca Longhi. His
genuine pictures are recognized by the initials N.+P.
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