Cortona / Sacchi controversy
- Cortona / Sacchi controversy
(c. 1630)
The term refers to a series of theoretical debates that took place in the Accademia di San Luca, Rome, regarding the proper representation of histories. A group, led by Andrea Sacchi, declared that history paintings should be composed according to the Aristotelian rules of tragedy, with a minimal number of actors and emphasis on grandeur and clarity. A second group, led by Pietro da Cortona, believed instead that histories should follow the precepts of epic poetry, with a multitude of figures, settings, and subplots, all held together by a common theme. Sacchi and Cortona truly practiced what they preached. In comparing the former's Divine Wisdom (1629-1633) to the latter's Glorification of the Reign of Pope Urban VIII (1633-1639) both frescoed ceilings in the Palazzo Barberini, Rome, it becomes clear that Sacchi did in fact limit the number of protagonists, rendering them with great precision. Cortona, on the other hand, allowed multiple characters to weave in and out of the fictive architecture, granting the work a spontaneity and vibrancy lacking in Sacchi's work.
Historical dictionary of Renaissance art.
Lilian H. Zirpolo.
2008.
Look at other dictionaries:
Sacchi, Andrea — (c. 1599 1661) Andrea Sacchi was the pupil of Francesco Albani who encouraged him to study the Farnese ceiling (c. 1597 1600; Rome, Palazzo Farnese) and other works by Annibale Carracci, meaning that the artist received a classicist art… … Dictionary of Renaissance art
Andrea Sacchi — (november 30 1599 June 21 1661) was an Italian painter of High Baroque Classicism, active in Rome. A generation of artists who shared his style of art include the painters Nicolas Poussin and Giovanni Battista Passeri, the sculptors Alessandro… … Wikipedia
Accademia di San Luca, Rome — Founded in Rome in 1593, the Accademia di San Luca was an association of artists dedicated to St. Luke, who was believed to have painted the true portrait of the Virgin Mary. It replaced the medieval Guild of Painters, Miniaturists, and… … Dictionary of Renaissance art
painting, Western — ▪ art Introduction history of Western painting from its beginnings in prehistoric times to the present. Painting, the execution of forms and shapes on a surface by means of pigment (but see also drawing for discussion of depictions in … Universalium
Accademia di San Luca — The Accademia di San Luca, (the Academy of Saint Luke ) was an association of artists in Rome, founded in 1593 with the directorship of Federico Zuccari, with the purpose of elevating the work of artists above that of craftsman. Also involved in… … Wikipedia
St. Peter's Basilica — Papal Basilica of Saint Peter Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano (Italian) Basilica Sancti Petri (Latin) … Wikipedia
The Wedding at Cana — Infobox Painting| title=The Wedding at Cana artist=Paolo Veronese year=1563 type=Oil on canvas height=666 width=990 city=Paris museum=Louvre The Wedding at Cana (or The Wedding Feast at Cana ) is a massive painting by the late Renaissance or… … Wikipedia
