Tag: male

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Prismacolor Pencil Drawing After Albrecht Dürer

Black and white Prismacolor pencil drawing of St. Jerome copied from Albrecht Durer

This post features an image of a drawing I did, which was copied from another drawing by the German master Albrecht Durer. His drawing is a portrait of a man of ninety-three who used to study a painting of Saint Jerome. The original was done in brush and black ink, heightened with white, on gray violet paper, and is in the Albertina Museum in Vienna. My copy was drawn with black and white Prismacolor colored pencils on gray paper and is located on the lowest shelf of a bookcase adjacent to my cat’s scratchpad. I have talked about Albrecht Durer before. I also spoke about the Albertina Museum in Vienna, Austria. But I don’t think I’ve talked about who this Saint Jerome person these drawings are supposed to represent. I don’t know who St. Jerome is; I’ve only been to church a handful of times. But I digress; let’s ask Microsoft’s Co-pilot, which is an AI generator or something, about St. Jerome.

Me: Who is Saint Jerome?

Co-pilot: Saint Jerome, born around 347 in Stridon (likely near modern-day Croatia or Slovenia), is renowned as a Christian scholar, theologian, and translator. He is best known for translating the Bible into Latin, which became the official Latin Bible for the Catholic Church.

Jerome’s life was marked by his dedication to monasticism and scholarship. He spent time as a hermit, became a priest, and served as secretary to Pope Damasus I. Around 389, he established a monastery in Bethlehem. His extensive writings include biblical commentaries, theological works, and letters, which profoundly influenced Christian thought.

Me: That all sounds boilerplate. Let’s get to some good stuff! Did he face any controversies during his lifetime?

Copilot: Yes, Saint Jerome faced several controversies during his lifetime:

Conflict with Rufinus: Jerome had a significant falling out with his former friend and fellow scholar. This conflict was largely due to differing views on the works of Origen, an early Christian theologian. Jerome initially admired Origen but later criticized his teachings, leading to a bitter dispute with Rufinus, who remained an Origen supporter.

Dispute with Bishop John of Jerusalem: Jerome also had a contentious relationship with Bishop John of Jerusalem. This was partly due to the same Origenist controversy, as Bishop John was sympathetic to Origen’s views.

Accusations of Impropriety: After the death of his patron, Pope Damasus I, Jerome faced accusations of having improper relations with a wealthy widow named Paula. These allegations, his strict ascetic practices, and his outspoken nature led to his departure from Rome.

Pelagian Controversy: Jerome was involved in the Pelagian controversy, opposing Pelagius’s teachings, which minimized the role of divine grace in salvation. Jerome’s writings against Pelagianism were among his most vigorous and influential1.
Criticism of His Translations: Jerome’s translation of the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate) was not without its critics. Some accused him of altering sacred texts and following Jewish interpretations too closely.

Despite these controversies, Jerome’s scholarly contributions and dedication to monasticism have left a lasting legacy in Christian history.

And then Microsoft Co-pilot gave me samples of some more prompts:

Is there a controversy you find most exciting or want to know more about?
Tell me more about the Pelagian controversy.
What were Jerome’s views on asceticism?
Did he have any other notable conflicts with fellow scholars?
Ask me anything…

Me: I’m exhausted. That is all for today.

Copilot: I understand taking a break when you need it is essential. Rest well, and feel free to reach out whenever you have more questions or want to chat. Have a great day!

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Graphite Drawing After Jean Fouquet

Drawing of an Ecclesiastic copied from Jean Fouquet

This next post is a digital image of a pencil drawing copied from a drawing of an Ecclesiastic by the French artist Jean Fouquet. The original is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It was completed around 1461 and done in metalpoint, black chalk on white prepared paper. Metalpoint is a technique that involves using a stylus (a thin metal rod inserted into a holder) to mark a prepared surface. Typically, the preparation includes coating a medium-thickness paper or a wood panel with a textured ground. As the stylus moves across the textured surface, it deposits tiny particles of metal, creating a mark.

Now, you might not know who Jean Fouquet is or even care. I’m not familiar with his work, but I do care, mainly because I’m writing a post about him. Let’s find out by asking the AI “Wunderkind”, Copilot with GPT-4 by Microsoft.

Jean Fouquet (c. 1420–1481) was a preeminent French painter and miniaturist of the 15th century. He excelled in both panel painting and manuscript illumination. Fouquet is considered one of the most important artists bridging the late Gothic and early Renaissance periods. He was the first French artist to travel to Italy and experience the early Italian Renaissance. His work includes portraits, altarpieces, and miniatures for the French court and nobility.

Jean Fouquet’s work stood out in several ways compared to other artists of his time. He was a master of portraiture, capturing the individuality and personality of his subjects in a lifelike and expressive manner. Fouquet emphasized naturalistic details, such as realistic drapery, facial features, and textures, and his attention to anatomical accuracy set him apart. He also experimented with perspective, creating depth and spatial realism in his compositions, which was groundbreaking during the late Gothic period.

Fouquet’s travel to Italy allowed him to absorb early Renaissance techniques, and his fusion of French and Italian styles influenced later artists. His meticulous approach extended to illuminated manuscripts, where he combined intricate borders with vibrant colors and gold leaf. In summary, Jean Fouquet’s unique blend of technical skill, innovation, and cross-cultural influences set him apart from his contemporaries.

1 2.
1 en.wikipedia.org
2 britannica.com

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Graphite Drawing After Michelangelo Buonarroti

Drawing of a man's back copied from Michelangelo Buonarroti

This next post is a pencil drawing copied from a work done in black chalk highlighted with white chalk by Michelangelo Buonarroti in 1504. It is in the collection of the Albertina Museum in Vienna, Austria. However, it is currently on loan to the Metropolitan Museum in New York. The Albertina Museum describes it as “Male Nude Seen from the Back with a Flag Staff,” in the Metropolitan, it is described as “Nude Male Figure in Half-Length Seen from the Rear.” Did the New Yorkers not see the ‘flag staff’ in the guy’s hand, or did they not think it was important? Either way, details of that nature are beyond the scope of this blog. One thing is certain: the drawing was completed in 1504 and is a study for a fresco depicting the “Battle of Cascina.” Let’s consult Michelangelo.org to learn more.

The Battle of Cascina was a fresco painting planned for a wall in Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy, but was never finished. Leonardo da Vinci was also employed to paint a scene from the Battle of Anghiari to decorate the wall across from Michelangelo’s painting. The two battles were important Florentine victories from the Middle Ages. The troops of Florence and Pisa engaged in combat at Cascina on July 28, 1364. A thousand Pisans were massacred, and 200 more were taken as prisoners.

Michelangelo portrayed a scene from the opening stages of the conflict when the Florentine army was initially caught off guard by the Pisan attack. Michelangelo depicted the Florentine soldiers taking a naked bath in the Arno River before the attack from the Pisans. The painting was to depict the soldiers as they came out of the river and were putting on their armor. Numerous soldiers glance or make gestures toward the Pisan position to the left. While others act enthusiastically, one soldier appears to have been struck and fallen back into the river.

Before being called by Pope Julius II to Rome, where he labored on the Pope’s tomb, Michelangelo only created the preliminary drawings. After finishing this project, he returned to Florence to finish the composition’s full-size cartoon (drawing). The drawing was eventually divided into several pieces and dispersed across Italy

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Graphite Drawing After Raphael

Copy in Graphite of a drawing of the Drapery of 'Horace' and three hands by Raphael

Here we have a drawing copied once again by the great Italian master Raphael Sanzio. Located in the collection of the British museum, it was done in black pen and brown ink. My copy was done in graphite pencil. The drawing is a study of drapery and three hands. Like the last post, it is also a study for the fresco ‘Disputation of the Holy Sacrament’. And once again I have turned to ChatGPT to do the heavy lifting on this post. So like anyone in my position, I asked ChatGPT to write about the artist Raphael in the style of Dr. Seuss. And in a scolding tone, replied: I’m sorry, but there is no known connection between the artist Raphael and the style of Dr. Seuss. Raphael was a High Renaissance painter and architect from Italy who worked primarily in the 15th and 16th centuries, while Dr. Seuss was an American author and illustrator who worked primarily in the mid-20th century and is best known for his whimsical and playful style of drawing and storytelling. While there may be some similarities in their use of color and composition, it is unlikely that Raphael had any direct influence on the style of Dr. Seuss. So I researched Dr. Seuss because I get sidetracked easily and found out he wrote in a style called: anapestic tetrameter. So I asked ChatGPT: Write about the artist Raphael in anapestic tetrameter. And ChatGPT happily replied:

In Urbino, Italy, Raphael was born,
A painter of the High Renaissance morn,
With skills in architecture, art he adorned,
And left his mark before he was gone.

His works are known for their grace and beauty,
With figures that exude a sense of duty,
And colors that shimmer, lively and fruity,
A feast for the eyes, a painterly booty.

From the Vatican to the Medici’s halls,
His art adorned both great and small,
A master of his craft, he stood tall,
A legacy that still enthralls us all.

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Pen and Ink Drawing After Raphael Sanzio

Study of the Disputa After a Drawing by Raphael

Next up on our old master artist copy-a-thon, we have a drawing in ink copied from a work by Raphael. My copy was done with the ever-popular gel ink pen available at the finest art supply stores. Stores like Target and Walgreens for example. The original by Raphael was done with brown ink over a non-gel black ink pen. It is a study for the his fresco entitled ‘Disputation of the Holy Sacrament’ located in the Apostolic Palace inside the Vatican. At the tender age of twenty-five, Raphael obtained an important commission from Pope Julius II to decorate a ceremonial hall in the Vatican. Saints, priests, scholars, and poets are portrayed in the fresco. This drawing shows a detail of the overall composition. To portray the figures as lively and realistically as possible, Raphael created nude studies of each after a live model. The individual studies are brought together in this drawing to determine the spatial relationship between the figures. Now I’m not a writer so I am already getting very tired of writing. So I turned to technology to help me write about Raphael.

I used the artificial intelligence wunderkind known as ChatGPT to write about Raphael’s personality. According to ChatGPT, Raphael was gentle and affable. He had a great sense of humor and a warm, welcoming demeanor. He was easy to get along with. He was devoted to his faith. Raphael was highly skilled in networking and socializing. He was well-liked by both royalty and popes. On top of that he had wit, charm and of course, was incredibly artistically talented.

I used to admire Raphael, but due to ChatGPT, I find him very annoying. And that my friends is progress.
What about the subject of ‘Disputa’? Well, what about it ChatGPT? I tried to ask ChatGPT and it told me and I quote “!
Something went wrong. If this issue persists please contact us through our help center at help.openai.com.” So there you go, that is all I have for today.

Click here if you want to see an image of the study of the Disputa by Raphael.

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Graphite Drawing After Jacopo Pontormo

Graphite copy of a drawing by Jacopo Pontormo of a Young Man Holding a Small Child

The image accompanying this post is a copy in graphite pencil of a drawing by Jacopo Pontormo. The original drawing is described as “A Young Man Holding a Small Child”. On the other side of the paper, there is another drawing of “A Young Man Holding a Small Child”. The sheet of paper that has those two drawings is in the Scottish National Gallery of Art. Pontormo was an Italian artist that worked in the Mannerist style which strayed from the realism Renaissance art. He elongated his figures to create more expressive compositions.

According to Giorgio Vasari’s Life of the Artists, Pontormo was a very withdrawn and neurotic individual. This idea of Pontormo has managed to exaggerate the popular conception of the artist, as seen in the film, Pontormo, a Heretical Love by Giovanni Fago. It is Fago’s portrayal of Pontormo that he is engrossed in a lonely, paranoid, and often protected process of his final Last Judgment project. When Vasari was writing his Lives of the Artists, he was in intense competition with the Pontormo/Bronzino workshop, according to art historian Elizabeth Pilliod. The professional feud between the two studio owners might have provided Vasari with enough motive to run down his opponent’s artistic lineage in his quest for patronage by the Medici family.

Except for Bronzino, few were able or willing to emulate Pontormo’s artistic peculiarities. In some of Bronzino’s early paintings, the authorship is still debated whether it belongs to him or to his instructor. In some ways, Pontormo shares the Mannerism of Rosso Fiorentino and Parmigianino. It could be said that he anticipated the Baroque as well as the style of El Greco. It was also a result of his idiosyncrasies that he had an original and cohesive sense of composition. Unfortunately, Pontormo’s work was quite out of fashion for several centuries. The fact that so much of his work has been lost or harshly damaged is a testament to this neglect. Fortunately, he has received renewed attention from contemporary art historians.

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Prismacolor® Pencil Drawing After Giovanni Battista Piazzetta

Copy of a Male Nude by Giovanni Battista Piazzetta in black and white Prismacolor Pencils

This post contains a drawing in Prismacolor® pencils that was copied from a work in chalk by the Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piazzetta. That is some name, isn’t it? I counted twelve syllables. There seem to be a lot of Italian names that are of similar complexity. I feel bad for all the Italian school teachers that had to do a roll call every day. I hope they got paid overtime. I just realized how corny my sense of humor is. I have been in denial for so long. Anyway, I know a lot of you are not familiar with the name Giovanni Battista Piazzetta. I am not either but I will do some research on behalf of both of us.

I have been in denial for so long.

The following information has been taken from the Virtual Uffizi website which refers to itself as the unofficial website of the Uffizi museum in Florence, Italy. Giovanni Battista Piazzetta’s drawings and paintings were noted for their Rocco style, with subtle coloring and rounded forms of religious and genre subjects. His father was a sculptor, and Piazzetta studied woodcarving with him before studying painting with the Venetian Baroque painter, Antonio Molinari. Molinari along with the Bolognese painter, Giuseppe Crespi, and the Emilian artist, Guercino all had a big impact on Piazzetta’s work. Even though Piazzetta did not receive many commissions throughout his career, he also illustrated books with drawings to pay the bills. His illustrated work is reminiscent of Rembrandt’s paintings. In all his works, Piazzetta created complex scenes where the subject was never obvious, and his characters were immersed in more than it seemed. The subjects he created would take on several different meanings. Piazzetta also added melodramatic features and had a reputation for being a darker artist than his Venetian contemporaries. Much of his later years were spent teaching, and although not wealthy, Giovanni Battista Piazzetta was a well-respected artist.

If you would like to see a facsimile of the original which is housed in the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa then by all means click here.

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Graphite Drawing After Federico Barocci

Pencil drawing of arm studies copied from Barocci

Our next drawing was copied from the Italian artist Federico Barocci. The original was done with chalk and is described as “Studies for the Martyrdom of San Vitale” and can be found at the Staatliche Museen, Berlin. My copy was done in pencil and can be found in my hall closet. I couldn’t find a copy of the drawing on the Staatliche Museen website but a similar one can be found by clicking here. Federico Barocci’s painting of the “Martyrdom of San Vitale” can be found in the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan. Since I haven’t talked about Federico Barocci in previous posts, let’s learn a little about this guy. I found the following information on the www.oxfordbibliographies.com website. Is it a reliable website? Well, it has the word ‘oxford’ in it so I guess so. Not only that but it also has the word ‘bibliographies’ in it which contains many syllables. You put them together and you can’t go wrong.

Since I haven’t talked about Federico Barocci…

Federico Barocci was the most well-known and well-paid Italian artist during the later 16th and early 17th centuries. He came from a successful artisan family in Urbino. He later traveled to Rome through his elder countryman Taddeo Zuccaro and received a papal commission. In the meantime, he received local commissions, resulting in his breakthrough Deposition in Perugia Cathedral in 1569. In addition to the altarpieces he provided in Arezzo and Ravenna, Barocci also received important Roman commissions that cemented his reputation. Although distorted human figures of the Mannerist style were still popular at that time, Barocci created his figures from direct observation. He used many drawings and studies to create carefully constructed paintings. Perhaps due to the sentimentality of his paintings, Barocci’s reputation declined in the 18th century. As a result, there is not much written about Federico Barocci, despite the fact that research has grown substantially in recent years and today Federico Barocci is considered one of the most brilliant draftsmen of his time.

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India Ink Drawing After Luca Cambiaso

India Ink Drawing of Cain and Abel Copied from Luca Cambiaso

Next up we have a copy of a drawing of Cain and Abel by Luca Cambiaso. The original was done in pen and wash. I made my copy with India Ink on watercolor paper. Right now you are probably wondering just who is this Luca Cambiaso person. Let us consult the Italian Art Society which sounds like an organization that should know what they are talking about.

Luca Cambiaso was born in Genoa, Italy on November 18, 1527. He was a top artist in Genoa during the middle and late 16th century and ran a big and productive workshop. In his childhood, he learned to paint with his father, Giovanni Cambiaso. Luca created his first works when he was only fifteen years old. At the age of seventeen, he began working with his father on the Palazzo Doria’s decoration. Additionally, Luca assisted Il Bergamasco with decorations for the church of San Matteo. Luca partnered with Giovanni Battista Castello on several projects in the 1550s. During 1560, Cambiaso completed frescoes for the Palazzo Imperiale in Campetto, Genoa, which brought him notoriety and additional commissions. FYI: Palazzo Imperiale means Imperial Palazzo in Italian. Cambiaso was asked to work for Philip II of Spain in 1583 and you don’t say no to Philip II. San Lorenzo’s church at the Hieronymite monastery of the Escorial was his first commission.

You don’t say no to Philip II

He studied Raphael and Michelangelo’s methods, and he was open to learning new ones. Luca was also impacted by the works of Titian and Veronese. In the mid-1560s, he developed a draughtsman style that incorporates geometric forms. By the 1570s, Luca’s works began to be more reflective, which he continued to develop during the rest of his career. He influenced a lot of painters, who analyzed his frescoes in Genoa. His followers became known as the Genoese School. Luca died in Madrid on September 8, 1585.

Here is a link to see a bunch of drawings by Luca Cambiaso.