In the Louvre an exhibition of the great Italian Renaissance painter Andrea Mantegna, as well as works by his contemporaries and disciples

organize an exhibition of Renaissance art is almost as hard as a missile launch to the moon. Due to the fragile works very curators do not like to transfer them, although a small time, to other museums.

However, the Louvre in Paris is still succeed in this troublesome case, and united under its roof, nearly 200 works by one of the greatest Italian artists of the XV century by Andrea Mantegna (Andrea Mantegna), as well as his contemporaries and disciples.

Certainly, this exhibition reflects the creativity of the most Mantegna. Include not managed well, the fresco «Chambers degli Spozi» in the palace of the Dukes of Gonzago Palazzo Ducale in Mantua, which are considered masterpieces of the wizard, and a picture «Dead Christ» Pinakoteka from Milan Brera.

Andrea Mantegna (ca. 1431-1506) was born in Isola di Karturo, a small town between Vicenza and Padua. His talent emerged in Padua, where he held a youth, received art education and wrote his first works. At that time the city was the center of humanism - the flow, who drew inspiration from the works of early Greek and Roman writers, rather than the Bible. It was at Padua for 10 years worked for one of the greatest Italian sculptor Donatello.

and humanity, and creativity Donatello had a profound influence on the young Mantegna. He was fascinated by classical themes, the characters which he liked to portray like antique statues. Sometimes he even wrote it in neutral tones to give them more sculptural.

In 1453 or 1454 the artist married Nikolosii Bellini - the sister of another outstanding Italian painter Giovanni Bellini (Giovanni Bellini).

In 1460 Mantegna was appointed court painter Dukes Gonzago and moved to Mantua, where worked until his death, except for two small trips to Tuscany and Rome. After 1490 a tough, tough style of the artist mitigated in favor of the tastes of one of the great Renaissance art patron Isabella d'Este, who was married to the ruling Marquis Francesco Gonzaga.

Louvre exhibit, which includes about 60 works performed by the Mantegna, arranged chronologically.

One of the most outstanding works of this exhibition - predella (in Italian Renaissance art of the lower part, the foot of altar-image poliptiha. - Ed .) altar of the basilica of San Zen in Verona, which consists of three parts, which depicted Jesus, who prays in the garden of Gethsemane, the Crucifixion and Resurrection. During the Italian campaign, Napoleon took predellu France. After his defeat at Waterloo it should have been returned, but this did not happen.

In one of the halls of the exhibition, visitors can see several paintings depicting Saint Sebastian, performed both by Mantegna, and other artists.

The exhibition also displays two allegorical scenes by an artist for studiolo (office), Isabella d'Este in the castle of San Giorgio: «Parnas» and «Triumph of Virtue». The second paper shows Minerva, banished from the garden of the vices of good. Both works are executed in soft, quiet style, characteristic of late-life painter. Next to them are exhibited paintings successor Mantegna Lorenzo Costa (Lorenzo Costa), who completed the registration studiolo.

The most famous among the later works are often quoted Mantegna takes a monumental cycle «Triumph of Caesar». Nine paintings by the British Queen Elizabeth II, who has kindly provided one of them for display in the Louvre.

exhibition at the Louvre last until January 5th, 2009.

Source: bloomberg.com , artinvestment.ru