Jacopo Carucci Pontormo
Born – Pontormo, Italy 1494
Died – Florence, Italy 1557
Pontormo’s master was Andrea del Sarto whom he surpassed in his vigorous and original treatment of religious subjects. Pontormo transformed late Classicist style into dramatic Mannerist art. Reverential themes become vehicles for transporting vibrant colouring and theatrical compositions almost to the realm of fantasy. An accumulation of incongruous elements from Joseph in Egypt. Witness the unreal and unbelievable mixture of architectural styles, strange depiction of space and the almost living statues. Pontormo’s compositions tend to overwhelm the spectator by the amount of activity and complicated rhythms set by figure groups. Each portion within the frame is busy, with no respite from colours and gestures jostling for attention. In contrast, his portraits have strength and clearly defined focus. The robust modelling of his figures and clearly cut folds of his drapery owes something to Michelangelo, seen most clearly in Potormo’s last and greatest commission, the decoration of the choir of San Lorenzo in Florence. The high-key, nervously energetic quality of Pontormo’s painting compensates for his reputedly introspective, melancholic personality. His work provides an antidote to the comparatively stilted, formal quality characterizing the Classical art which preceded his.
Masterpieces:
- Visitation
- Deposition
Text: The A-Z of Art, Nicola Hodge and Libby Anson.
Books About jacopo carucci pontormo
Drawings of Pontormo (Master Draughtsman Series)
Jacopo Carucci Pontormo
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Jacopo Carucci da Pontormo, his life and work. With a foreword by Frank Jewett Mather
Frederick Mortimer Clapp
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Pontormo
Jacopo Carucci Pontormo
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