 | The Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid is hosting between 30 January - 13 May 2007 a fabulous exhibitions dedicated to Jacopo Tintoretto, including over 70 works, most of these being loans from various museums, galleries and collections all around the world. It is a first for Spanish art-lovers, as they have the unique chance of discovering the work and personality of one of the most talented and important artists. It is also the first Tintoretto exhibition of this size organised in Spain and one of the largest since the one organised in Venice seven decades ago. By trying to offer a monographic presentation of Tintoretto's art, the curators have carefully selected those works which mark the various stages and moments in the painter's career. |
Jacopo Tintoretto was not only one of the greatest names in art history, but also a successful artist and the subject of several exhibitions in modern times. His works being very sought after by museum and private collectors, with prices that very often surpass all expectations. It isn't easy to organize a Tintoretto exhibition, mainly because of the size of his works, as most of them are large-scale canvases, and some of them are still kept in Venice, in the same buildings were they were painted. A very prolific artisti, with a huge output, Tintoretto also had many disciples who worked in the same manner and very often helped him finish some compositions, so his paintings were often confused with those made by his followers and imitators. This unfortunately led to museological neglect, and for many decades the exhibitions dedicated to Tintoretto only focused on specific aspects of his career.
The curators have chosen 49 paintings, 13 drawings and 3 sculptures, trying to reconstruct the varied themes and registers that atracted Tintoretto and his interest in various art genres. The main focus is on the religious scenes, where he produced his main works. The exhibition is also a premier for it is the first time in centuries that two of his greatest masterpieces, "The Last Supper" and "Christ washing the Disciples's Feet" are being presented together. The Museo del Prado is also presenting several mythological compositions, such as Venus, portraits, self-portraits and other scenes.
For Tintoretto the idea of "designo" was the most important, as he emphasised the key-role of drawing in creating and learning, as well as a tool for experiment and discovering. In order for the audience to discover that, some important works on paper have also been chosen, from the studies after sculptures made by Michelangelo or classical compositions to preparatory studies for large compositions and also preparatory studies for key figures, often reused by the artist on various ocasions.
There fore the exhibition at the Museo del Prado is one of the most important exhibitions dedicated to Tintoretto ever, and a chance for art lovers to discover the personality of a major figure in the history of painting.
April 2007
Photo : http://museoprado.mcu.es
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