Sunday, September 21, 2008

Brittaney--Filippo Lippi

According to Wikipedia, Lippi "approaches religious art from its human side, and is not pietistic though true to a phase of catholic devotion. He was perhaps the greatest colourist and technical adept of his time, with good draughtsmanship. As a naturalist, he had less vulgar realism than some of his contemporaries, and with much genuine episodic animation, including semi-humorous incidents and low characters. He made little effort after perspective and none for forshortening, and was fond of ornamenting pilasters and other architectural features. According to Vasari, Lippi aimed to hide the extremities in drapery to avoid difficulties. His career was one of continual development, without fundamental variation in style or in coloring. In his great works the proportions are larger than life."  I chose this piece for its vibrant colors, its focus on religious life (Catholic) and because it demonstrates the drapery tactics.

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