Giorgione (Giorgio Barbarelli) (c.1478-1510)

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Giorgione and Judith

When in 1772 as part of the Paris collection of Crozat painting was purchased for the Hermitage, it was thought that created it, Rafael. Who else, if not the most famous artists of the Renaissance, can be attributed to such a beautiful creation. Until now, creativity creator of "Judith" is not fully understood.

The woman depicted in the painting by Giorgione, similar to the ancient Venus. From medieval statues slight tilt of the body that resembles the Latin letter S. Just a faint smile, holding the attributes to uncover the meaning of the image, stood along the walls and portals of Gothic cathedrals stone sculptures that embody the virtues or vices. But her flawless beauty reminiscent of the goddess of Olympus.

According to D. Vasari, he died in 1510, during the next plague, aged 32-33 years. Who taught him the painting as the destiny of the artist - unknown. It is not known and the exact amount of his work. Some scientists believe that he wrote no less than 60 paintings, others that no more than four to six. But researchers have no doubt that the "Judith" was painted by Giorgione.

It is difficult to set the year of painting so early deceased artist, creative maturity which lasted about ten years.

Venice, which was called the "Pearl of the Adriatic" at the end of XV - beginning of XVI century, was a powerful republic. She had a large fleet and led a lively trade. Advantageous geographical position helped to strengthen its power and wealth.

Residents of Venice did not have too many hopes on the "Kingdom of God" promised the church after his death. They appreciated his stay on earth and cared about the prosperity of his native city.

The heroic story "Judith" in tune with the time. Usually artists and sculptors represented in the time of the murder of Judith Holofernes, and when she returned from the camp of the enemy, and the girl, coming at a distance, carrying the head. But Giorgione it quite calm and is in reverie.

Some well-known scientists and restorers say that Giorgione has given its features Holofernes.

It seems natural that in nature with unique joyful appearance must have been born artists who have a sense of color was covered in blood. Venice gave the world’s greatest artists: Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto, Tiepolo, but first among them was the time of Giorgione. It was he aware of the close interaction of color and light.

Red - not always red. Depending on how the light is distributed to dress Judith, it appears that pale pink, the wine and cherry where the folds lie deep shadows. Polished steel sword and uniform in color: it flashes pink reflections from contact with the fabric of the dress or go to greenish-gray glow where the edge of the sword stuck in the ground, side by side with grass and gravel. See and reproduce colored shadows - a great achievement of the painting!

Folds of clothing reminiscent of Judith carved in stone statues of medieval garb. Details not interfere perceive important, but they are transferred to the care inherent in more masters of the XV century. Every blade of grass, stone, cracks in the crease walls, climbing ivy depicted in detail with loving attention to various forms of manifestations of nature.

The poetic works of innuendo Dzhorzhone excites the imagination, sets up an emotional way, which is often achieved in music or poetry.

More Vasari mentioned that Giorgione’s contemporaries appreciated not only as an artist but also as a musician. Music is always present in the paintings of Giorgione. He liked to portray concerts. But even where the characters in the hands of no music, no tools, live music. In "Judith" melody created beauty of form, color landscape.

In 1972, the restoration was completed, "Judith." Under the old varnish opened the original colors. Reveal details hidden by later entries, the ivy on the wall, bushes plants. It turned out that the background is not depicted blue bay and the green plain. Were able to establish the initial appointment of the work. The basis of "Judith" served once a wooden board. In the XIX century painting was transferred from wood to canvas. The side of the board had a loop, so the picture is the flap of the altar. X-rays showed that the surface of the painting is a square insert, made on the site of the old keyhole. Narrow format paintings (144 x 65, 5), the loop suggests that the image graced the cabinet door. In times of Giorgione’s painting ceases to be the property only of churches and secular becomes part of the interior. This is also manifest new ideas of the Renaissance.

Only at the end of the XIX century. were able to establish the origin of the name "Judith" - Giorgione. And the Hermitage was one of the few museums in the world, which have two wonderful works of Venetian masters: in addition to "Judith" in the Hermitage is another small work of Giorgione’s "Madonna and Child".