CARPACCIO, Vittore (b. 1472, Venezia, d. 1526, Capodistria) Arrival of the English Ambassadors 1495-1500 Tempera on canvas, 275 x 589 cm Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice Canvas No. 1 of the series of nine large paintings "Stories from the Life of St Ursula". The three paintings of the Ambassadors are evidence of the extent to which Carpaccio's feeling for colour had developed; in them the artist displays his extraordinary ability at directing or staging pageants and religious celebrations of the kind that must have been fairly frequent at the time. In the painting of the English Ambassadors
CARPACCIO, Vittore (b. 1472, Venezia, d. 1526, Capodistria) Arrival of the English Ambassadors 1495-1500 Tempera on canvas, 275 x 589 cm Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice Canvas No. 1 of the series of nine large paintings "Stories from the Life of St Ursula". The three paintings of the Ambassadors are evidence of the extent to which Carpaccio's feeling for colour had developed; in them the artist displays his extraordinary ability at directing or staging pageants and religious celebrations of the kind that must have been fairly frequent at the time. In the painting of the English Ambassadors' Arrival a at the Court of the King of Brittany, the first episode of the cycle of Stories from the Life of St Ursula, the splendid architectural setting, with the open loggia against the background of a view of Venice and the intimate space of the private room, divides the scene into two sections: the ambassadors deliver their message on one side and Ursula discusses the matter with her father on the other. The entire composition is arranged with absolute self-confidence and accuracy. In the diplomatic ceremony the afternoon light streams in from the left and illuminates the foreground, with patches of bright colours and sharp shadows. Below the wide portico that stretches out to the left with a row of arcades vanishing into the distance, alternating with areas of shadow, the elegant young members of the Compagnia della Calza are portrayed in poses of the most self-assured nonchalance, and showing indifference for what is happening nearby. To the right of the elaborate candelabrum, with marble and bright metal decorations, a sophisticated ornamentation that is reminiscent of the work of Ferrarese artists, the English ambassadors are received by King Maurus; they are portrayed in attitudes of deference and respect, in keeping with the rigid protocol governing public audiences granted by the Venetian Republican institutions at the time. The King sits, like the Doge, amidst hi
Size: 3807px × 1824px
Photo credit: © Carlo Bollo / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 1400, 1400s, 1500, 1500s, 15th, artwork, carpaccio, century, italian, paint, painter, painting, paintings, vittore
