Andrea Mantegna (1431-1506
- from: 22.09.2008
- to: 05.01.2009
- In: Musée du Louvre
Andrea Mantegna (1431 - 1506)
agenda
22nd September 2008 to 5th January 2009
Practical
Louvre Museum, ParisThis artist, blessed with a strong personality, was very well connnected in humanist antiquary circles, in whose eyes he personified the Renaissance in northern Italy from the mid 15th century. The profound spirit of his severe art, with an unprecedented consistency, in fact lies in an enthusiastic admiration for classic antiquity, its ornamental repertoire and its ideal of virtue, the scrupulous imitation of nature through a strict and sometimes bold application of perspective, but also a mediation in the lessons of Flemmish painting and finally a real fascination for sculpture. Mantegna proved to be highly loyal to these principles developed from his early years, giving his work a stylistic harmony which is particular to him. With the same supreme ease and same inventive eloquence, he exercised his talent in the most diverse forms, experimenting, sometimes using new techniques, to reflect his visual inventions with as much acuity as possible.
The exhibition, which presents a high number of works (approximately 190) is therefore visually very varied. While the paintings section is noticibly larger, drawings, prints, manuscripts, sculptures and artifacts are also shown. Considering the rarity of works from this era, it is exceptional to include so much evidence of an artist of this importance on French soil, especially essential pieces, diverse both in their date of execution and typology, enabling the relevant recreation of the career of this genius in a relevant manner. This monographic exhibition, through a layout designed by Richard Peduzzi and Cécile Degos, offers new insight into these masterpeices.
Mantegna's works, sometimes hugely spectacular in their size and their striking effects of perspective, can also demonstrate an extremely sophisticated execution or an intimist inspiration. This is indeed the whole paradox of this artist whose austerity and sometimes slightly emphatic knowledge of antiquary should not hide a genuine sensitivity, a striking talent for observation as well as a poetic vein, often tinged with melancholy and sometimes humour.
As part of the European Cultural Season, with this exhibition, the Louvre Museum has created a journey intended for families.
- Updated: 10.10.2008
