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
Lucio Faberio, mention is made of a head of Jesus Christ, in the character
of the universal judge, painted at that time, though unfinished, upon a
black ground. Such a head is pointed out in the Albani palace at Rome, and
duplicates exist elsewhere. In the features we see exhibited all that is at
once most majestic and most terrible within the limits of the human
imagination.
Annibal was greatly celebrated in Lombardy in every peculiar taste which he
chose to pursue. In his earliest works Mengs declares that he traces the
appearance, but not the depth and reality of Coreggio's style; but it is an
appearance so extremely plausible, that it compels us to pronounce him one
of the most perfect imitators of that consummate master. His Taking down
from the Cross, at the church of the Capuccini in Parma, may challenge the
most distinguished followers of the Parmese School. His picture of S. Rocco
is still more celebrated, comprising the perfections of different artists,
a piece engraved in aqua forte by Guido Reni. It was executed for Reggio,
thence transferred to Modena, and from the last place to Dresden. He
represented the saint, standing near a portico on a basement, and
dispensing his wealth to poor mendicants; a composition not so very rich in
figures as in knowledge of the art. A throng of paupers, as different in
point of infirmity as in age and sex, is admirably varied, both in the
grouping and the gestures. One is seen receiving with gratitude, another
impatiently expecting, a third counting his alms with delight; every object
is misery and humiliation, and yet every thing seems to display the
abundance and dignity of the artist. But proceeding to Rome in the year
1600, he entered on another career; "he checked his fire," observes Mengs,
"he improved the extravagance of his forms, imitated Raffaello and the
ancients, retaining at the same time a portion of the style of Coreggio to
support dignity." (Tom. ii. p. 19.) Albano makes use of nearly the same
words in a letter given by Bellori, (p. 44,) adding, that Annibal, in the
opinion of competent judges, "far surpassed his cousin, from a knowledge of
the works of Raffaello, in addition to that of the most beautiful ancient
statues." He was there employed in various churches, though his crowning
effort, and nearly the whole foundation of the art, as restored by his
means, are to be sought for in the Farnese palace. The subjects were
selected by Monsig. Agucchi; and together with the allegories may be read
in Bellori. In a small chamber he gave representations of the Virtues, such
as his _Choice of Hercules_, _Hercules sustaining the World_, _Ulysses the
Liberator_; in the gallery various fables of Virtuous Love, such as those
of Arion and Prometheus; with others of Venal Love, among which a wonderful
figure of a Bacchanal is one of the most conspicuous. The work is admirably
distributed and varied with ovals, cornices, and with a variety of
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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