Paintings from Italy at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

Italian paintings at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Madrid.

Just a small selection of paintings from Italy, spanning three centuries. They are in reverse chronological order, as I always start from contemporary and go back in museums.

Francisco Guardi, El Gran Canal con San Simeone, Piccolo and Santa Lucia, 1780

Canaletto, The Grand Canal from Sao Vio, Venice, 1723-1724

detail

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Canaletto, The Piazza San Marco in Venice, 1723-24

This painting of the most famous square in Venice is from a high viewpoint, thus ensuring a broader frame for the composition. The horizontal line formed in the background by the facades of St Mark's and the Doge's Palace contrasts sharply with the vertical thrust of the Campanile, while the Procuratie lining both sides of the square give depth to the perspective. 

detail

detail

Caravaggio, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, 1598-1599

Richly dressed in robes befitting a princess, St Catherine gazes out at the viewer surrounded by the attributes of her martyrdom: the breaking-wheel, the sword with which she was beheaded. The dramatic lighting of the scene creates a chiaroscuro effect characteristic of Caravaggio. The colour range used for her garments, which combines blues and violets is typical of northern Italian painting.

Tintoretto, The Annunciation of Manoah's Wife, 1555-59

Tintoretto, The Meeting of Tamar and Judah, 1555-59

Anonimo aleman, Portrait of a Woman, 1480

Rafael, Portrait of a Young Man, 1518-19.

A background of grey tones against which the bust of this young man stands out, is presented with his body in profile and a turn of the neck and head that allows his face to be seen almost frontally. The colour harmonies and contrasts created by the white shirt, the pale pink cloak and pale clear tones of the flesh are extremely beautiful.

Piero della Francesca, Portrait of a Boy. Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, 1483