Sienese artist Francesco Vanni (1563-1610) studied painting with his stepfather and was familiar with the accomplishments of Italian High Renaissance master Raphael (1483-1520). He later ventured north to Bologna, where he was influenced by the Baroque classicism of Annibale Carracci (1560-1609), his older brother Agostino (1557-1602) and their cousin Ludovico (1555-1619). They emphasized studying nature, drawing and painting from it, the visual effects of light on form and the importance of movement. Vanni labored for two years in a Roman studio heavily dominated by the artistic artificiality of Mannerist Federico Zuccaro (1543-1609). By 1585, Vanni was affected by the exquisitely fine facial types and sharp colors of Mannerist and Baroque painter Federico Barocci (ca. 1535-1612). Upon his return home in the 1590s, Vanni became the preeminent painter of Siena. The artist's Nativity (ca. 1600), a dramatic work-on-paper, was perhaps made in preparation for a painting.
"Radiant Darkness: The Art of Nocturnal Light" is on view from April 24 through July 22, 2007 at the J. Paul Getty Museum (Telephone: 310-440-7330; Website). The museum is open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Admission is free. Parking costs $8.00.
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From your Guide: Stan Parchin, Senior Correspondent for Museums and Special Exhibitions, is a specialist in ancient, late-medieval and Renaissance art and history, and a regular contributor to About Art History. You may read all of his Special Exhibition and Catalogue Reviews here.