The naval battle of Lepanto fought in 1571 was a decisive victory of the Christian Holy Ligue over the Turks during a series of military campaigns by the Venetians. A tender was launched for an immense painting commemorating the event in the Palazzo Ducale.
Il Tintoretto, sometimes nicknamed Il Furioso, is known for his speed of decision and execution. He gets this contract and performs the painting within one year. An oil on canvas 180 x 320 cm sold for € 315K including premium by Sotheby's on September 20, 2016 has the characteristics of a modello made by Tintoretto in the preparation of this work that was to be lost in the fire of the Palace in 1577.
Tintoretto was primarily an artist of religious themes but knew to convince customers of the global extent of his know how. From 1578 to 1580 he made eight large paintings in praise of the Gonzaga for their ducal palace in Mantua. The animation of the battles is hectic, in a Mannerist style. Details of the action prevail over the consistency of the whole.
On October 18 in Vienna, Dorotheum sells a Battle between the Philistines and the Israelites, oil on canvas 146 x 231 cm recently discovered. The overall design is comparable to the works of the Gonzaga series. X ray and infrared analyses show that this piece is an original with major changes realized to change the theme.
The scenes are violent, from brawl to escape. A few elephants in the background provide the Orientalist mood. The main action is decidedly on the extreme right of the picture like the conclusion of a modern comic strip : the young David pierces with his spear the giant Goliath lying on the ground.
This painting is estimated € 300K, lot 26. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
SOLD for € 910K including premium
Il Tintoretto, sometimes nicknamed Il Furioso, is known for his speed of decision and execution. He gets this contract and performs the painting within one year. An oil on canvas 180 x 320 cm sold for € 315K including premium by Sotheby's on September 20, 2016 has the characteristics of a modello made by Tintoretto in the preparation of this work that was to be lost in the fire of the Palace in 1577.
Tintoretto was primarily an artist of religious themes but knew to convince customers of the global extent of his know how. From 1578 to 1580 he made eight large paintings in praise of the Gonzaga for their ducal palace in Mantua. The animation of the battles is hectic, in a Mannerist style. Details of the action prevail over the consistency of the whole.
On October 18 in Vienna, Dorotheum sells a Battle between the Philistines and the Israelites, oil on canvas 146 x 231 cm recently discovered. The overall design is comparable to the works of the Gonzaga series. X ray and infrared analyses show that this piece is an original with major changes realized to change the theme.
The scenes are violent, from brawl to escape. A few elephants in the background provide the Orientalist mood. The main action is decidedly on the extreme right of the picture like the conclusion of a modern comic strip : the young David pierces with his spear the giant Goliath lying on the ground.
This painting is estimated € 300K, lot 26. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
SOLD for € 910K including premium
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