After a short story of Hercules saving Myscelus, Ovid presents the doctrines of Pythagoras, including advocacy of vegetarianism, and philosophy of change. Raphael and Rubens.
Raphael
Arsenic sulphides, they were both used in alchemy, and used commonly in paintings from Ancient Egypt through to the late 29th century. Tintoretto loved them.
As his style became more distinctive, he painted fine religious set-pieces, and some superb and enigmatic secular works.
He is now almost forgotten, despite this being the 500th anniversary of his death. He was certainly an important influence on Raphael, and more.
The final few years of his life were highly productive. As well as superb religious works, some secular paintings have also survived.
When he returned to painting in 1504, he was quick to incorporate the latest developments such as sfumato, and enhanced his landscapes from real life.
Friend and colleague of Raphael, he was on a par with him, and Leonardo da Vinci. First part of a series marking the 500th anniversary of his death.
The first in a series of 4, starts with Dürer’s brilliant paintings, looks at Raphael, Hans Bol, and the beginnings of the ‘English School’.
Take a couple of similes from Macbeth, and depict them word for word in a painting to express a tough abstract concept. And doesn’t it work well.
A simple story with an obvious climax to be shown. But getting the composition right proves a test even for the Masters.
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