Pietro Perugino - representative of the Italian Renaissance

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci, or, as we know him, Pietro Perugino (≈ 1448–1523) is an early Renaissance painter. Born in a small town in the province of Umbria, he lived and worked in Rome, Florence and Perugia. His most outstanding student was the brilliant Rafael Santi.

Brief information about the artist

Pietro Perugino came from a we althy family in Citta della Pieva. He supposedly received his first drawing lessons in the studio of Fiorezo di Lorenzo. But in his youth he moved to Florence, where he received a full-fledged art education in the workshop of Andrea Verrocchio.

First works

These should include the "Adoration of the Magi" (1470-1476). The traditional Christmas story unfolds against the background of a landscape in which one can feel the influence of the early Leonardo, with whom the painter studied in the same studio.

There, on the distant horizon, a silvery light is scattered behind a tall tree. Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and B althazar, who were led to the manger by a sparkling star, are preparing gifts, and old B althazar has already kneltbefore Mary and her divine child. Joseph modestly stands behind her. The work owes its high emotional tension to the deep shadows and rich colors used by the young master. The dark blue cloak of Mary, revealing her scarlet dress, allegorically speaks of the divine purity of the Virgin. It is assumed that in one of the leftmost figures, in which only the face is written, the artist gave his portrait.

"Handing over the keys of St. Peter" (1481-1482)

At the invitation of Pope Sixtus IV, Pietro Perugino comes to Rome to paint the house church, which will later be called the Sistine Chapel in honor of the Pope. There he creates one of his most perfect and best works - "Transferring the Keys to the Apostle Peter".

The fresco consists of two strips. In the foreground are the main figures. And on the second - a square with architectural structures, which enhances the impression of power and monumentality. The central temple, which reproduces the famous building in Jerusalem, makes a particularly majestic impression. The landscape with hills and thin trees gives a sense of infinity and airy perspective. The foreground figures, rhythmically repeating, create a varied musical pattern. The Apostle Peter knelt before our Lord, who is surrounded by disciples. Peter humbly receives two keys, which today are the symbol of the Church. There is absolutely everything in this fresco - color, shadows, drawing, composition.

Martyrdom

Deeply believing man Pietro Perugino paintingswrites predominantly religious content. Painting "St. Sebastian" was made in oil on an oak board around 1495. It has been in the Louvre since 1896.

The saint was condemned by the Roman military because he did not renounce his faith in Christ, the Savior of mankind. In the background is a hilly landscape with delicate thin trees that are hidden in the haze. The marble perspective of the floor fits perfectly into the point where the landscape begins. The figure of the saint is placed between arched supports, one of which is broken. This means that the pagan world is coming to an end, despite all efforts to preserve it. Nothing can shake this faith of Sebastian. He stands in the center of the picture, creating a perfectly symmetrical composition. The saint is tied to a red porphyry column. His naked body, covered only by a loincloth, has perfect forms. His head is thrown back, and he looks languidly at the sky, seeking help and courage to endure suffering.

Perugino Pietro: "Madonna"

The painting "Madonna in Glory with Saints" (1500-1501) is painted on canvas with oil and is kept in the National Picture Gallery in Bologna. According to Vasari, this work is Pietro Perugino's new approach to the topic.

Compositionally, it is divided into two parts, between which there is no connection. The Madonna and Child is located high in the heavenly spheres in the central part of the composition. The golden arch pours grace with divine light. Symmetrically on both sides of it areangels who folded their hands in prayer. The throne of her feet is a cloud, which is also supported by the figure of an angel. Below, against the background of a charming hilly landscape, stand from left to right the Archangel Michael in armor, Catherine of Alexandria, Apollonia with pliers and John the Evangelist.

Madonna di Loreto (1507)

Madonna and Child stands on a pedestal surrounded by St. Jerome in the clothes of a cardinal and St. Francis of Assisi.

Two angels hovering from above carry a crown to the Virgin Mary. Pietro Perugino does not seek to create an original composition, but wants to do a flawless job with the highest possible quality. Every detail is thought out in it, in particular, great importance is attached to the direction of light. It refracts in draperies, playing with iridescent colors.

For almost five centuries, the faces of saints captured by the artist have been looking from the canvases. They give us their gentle and wise look of the Madonna Pietro Perugino. His works are masterpieces that sink into the soul for a long time. The artist died during the plague that came to Perugia.