Barocci at the National Gallery
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 3:15 pmhttp://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/barocci-brilliance-and-grace
Because I am stupid I had avoided this show. I thought Barocci was a fancy foreign word for Baroque, actually I didn't really think just wasn't interested. He, Barocci who I was ingnorant of, is very good. Swoopy sweepy flows of tangerine colour, odd details, glimmering eyes and silver plates. All done with that meticulous but still fluid technique pushed out of shape into something far more interesting than craft. He reworks the boring old bible stories, sexing them up with strange perspective and realistic donkeys ala Caravaggio, with a touch of Tiepolo's mad composing, then some zingy colour contrasts, and even undulating space in the manner of Cezanne. Go see it. It is a painting treat and I will be back to have some cogent thoughts perhaps.
I kept thinking as I looked, great but I wouldn't want to do it myself.
Because I am stupid I had avoided this show. I thought Barocci was a fancy foreign word for Baroque, actually I didn't really think just wasn't interested. He, Barocci who I was ingnorant of, is very good. Swoopy sweepy flows of tangerine colour, odd details, glimmering eyes and silver plates. All done with that meticulous but still fluid technique pushed out of shape into something far more interesting than craft. He reworks the boring old bible stories, sexing them up with strange perspective and realistic donkeys ala Caravaggio, with a touch of Tiepolo's mad composing, then some zingy colour contrasts, and even undulating space in the manner of Cezanne. Go see it. It is a painting treat and I will be back to have some cogent thoughts perhaps.
I kept thinking as I looked, great but I wouldn't want to do it myself.