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Masterpieces
of the Renaissance
Le
Marches experienced the same historic route of the rest of Italy, between
the 14th and the 15th centuries a profound artistic
movement was originated, which was partly due to the stay in the Marches
of innovative painters, both Italian and European. On the other hand,
there was an increasing cultural influence on the part of the new
strategic and political centres.
In
this period the rules of the Malatesta family in Rimini and Montefeltro
family in Urbino, as well as the Sforza family in Pesaro and Varano family
in Camerino, widened and strengthened their dominions. They showed
patronage and a growing power, and enriched their castles with sublime
architectures and valuable works, which are now an immense heritage for
the Marches.
The
Renaissance was a period of splendour for the Marches, and the typical
equilibrium of this region certainly influenced the artists who worked
here. Carlo Crivelli came from the Veneto region and spread an
exquisite pictorial style, which can be seen observing the paintings in
many museums and churches of the Marches. An example is the painting The
Virgin Mary with the Baby, in the Picture Gallery of Ancona.
To
build his beautiful Ducal Palace Federico da Montefeltro called Luciano
Laurana, who was to interpret his client’s wishes perfectly. Such a
spectacular place could only be decorated by masterpieces of major
artists. Thus, when Raffaello’s father, Giovanni Santi, painted
fine works for the Duke Federico (in 1470), Piero della Francesca arrived
in Urbino. He left precious works in the Marches, such as the intense and
perfect Virgin of Senigallia, and the innovative Flagellation,
Bramante (from Fermignano) also studied in Urbino.
A
few years later, Perugino painted wonderful works that are now on
display in various towns of the Marches (examples are the moving Virgin
on the throne and the Saints in Senigallia and the Annunciation in
Fano). Raffaello learnt the secrets of painting both from his father and
from Perugino, and then used his talent in Rome.
Between the 15th and the 16th centuries the Marches
witnessed the development of many local pictorial trends, enhanced by the
works by Giovanni Boccati from Camerino, Lorenzo d’Alessandro from
San Severino, and the numerous pupils of Giovanni Santi. Luca
Signorelli’s decorations in Loreto confirm the widespread mannerisms
inspired by Perugino.
The
Della Rovere Dukes were the new Dukes of Urbino and contributed to the
renovation of styles and tastes by calling the Dossis from Ferrara.
The latter decorated the Imperial Villa of Pesaro, and Girolamo
Genga was an architect born in Urbino who was also called by the Della
Rovere family. The influences from the Veneto region are clear in the
works by Carlo Crivelli and Lorenzo Lotto, as well as in the
works by less famous artists, who filled their paintings with details from
their native land.
© 2001 Liberation Ventures Ltd.
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