Baldassare Castiglione, Raphael

date?

1514

patron?

Baldassare Castiglione

artist?

raphael

dimensions?

81\.8 x 67.3 cm

Material?

Oil on canvas

who was Castiglione?

* write and a poet
* close friend of Raphael
* from Urbino and worked at court

how is Durers influence evident?

the naturalistic detail

what was the Book of the Courtier

* an advice manual on how to behave at court
* gave instructions on how to be the ideal courtier
* included guidance on what types and colours of clothing to wear

how has the portrait embodied the concept of spezzatura?

* composition of his hands clenched together
* wisdom and calmness reflected
* 3/4 pose
* looks intelligent and kind
* beautiful in sense of perfection seen in clothes - sleeves are puffed and powerful.

what is reflected in the portrait that was needed to survive at court?

a blend of flair, grace and gravitas

what work is similar to how Raphael removes detail from the background?

portrait of Giovanni Tornabuoni

what work is similar to the detail, naturalism and concept of self-fashioning?

Albrecht Durer

what portrait did Raphael have an influence on?

portrait of Tommaso Mosti, Titian

where did Baldassare Castiglione originate from?

the ducal town of Urbino

what was Castiglione working on at the same time as Raphael was working on this portrait?

* the ‘Book of Courtier’
* the painting was probably produced as an act of friendship

how was the painting probably produced as an act of friendship?

as the portrait and the text reinforced the image of the ideal member of the court demonstrating how Castiglione was the embodiment of this.

what was Castiglione doing when he left the portrait at home with his wife in Mantua in northern Italy?

* he undertook a diplomatic journey to Rome
* He wrote a poem about this and the portrait was intended to please is wife and son whilst he was absent.

how was the artist promoted in the ‘Book of Courtier’?

* the artist was promoted as an intellectual this would have pleased Raphael who studied antique sources.
* the ‘Book of the Courtier’ resembled sombre colours and we see these here.

how did humanism impact the painting?

Humanism impacted on the idea that gesture and disposition of the body were drawn from ancient texts.

who was Quintilian?

a roman orator who wrote specifically about rhetorical gestures in public speaking.

how would’ve Quintilian influenced Raphael?

he would have drawn upon it when giving Castiglione such a confident and relaxed pose that reflects his Sprezzatura.

what would’ve highlighted the concept of imago dei?

The idealisation combined with the naturalism and reflection of a lively intellect and warm personality

how is the context of marriage relevant?

as the portrait was intended to inspire wifely devotion during the absence of the husband.

what did Castiglione’s fashionable head-wear achieve?

it added gravitas and disguised his baldness

how was Urbino an important court centre?

it had links to Venice and Rome and both Raphael and Castiglione forged their careers here.

where is Castiglione’s wealth shown in his clothes?

* black velvet
* silvered fur and white silk
* the portrait therefore an example of self-fashioning and draws attention to the high status given to artist and writers in the renaissance.

what did the ‘Book of Courtier’ which was the first substantial text, suggest?

character, physical appearance and behaviour could be learned by an elite.

what highlighted the weave of the canvas? what did this do?

* oil paint was applied in thin glazes
* this complied the texture of the fabrics

how does Raphael display awareness on contemporary venetian painting?

in the freedom of his soft and luminous brushwork.

What important concept does the portrait embody?

Imago Dei - Raphael is remaking God’s work

Source: What did Jones & Penny suggest about the appearance of Baldassare C?

“Visual equivalent of the ideal courtier”

Source: What did Shearer West suggest about the function of the portrait?

“Social functions of self-fashioning”

Composition?

• Pyramidal (very subtle)

• Effortless 3/4 pose

• Not strict profile - slight twist to left.

• Hand gently clasped - appears resting

• Relaxed, confident pose - looks out to viewer with animated eyes.

Colour?

• Neutral & sombre - browns, greys, cream & black = role as courtier.

• Neutral palette contrast piercing blue eyes.

Pictorial space?

• Shallow - reminiscent of classical relief sculpture.

• Pushed towards picture plane

• Maintains distance from viewer = decorum & gravitas.

Light & tone?

• Soft/subtle lighting - High Renaissance lighting.

• Figure & fabric modelled gently in light

• Face illuminated - character & age.

Form?

• Idealised

• Classical

• Naturalistic

• Sculptural form - clothing - sense of mass

Line?

• Soft diagonals of arms + flow of garments = gently sloping pyramid.

• Motion - line of materials

• Circular form of hat compliments circular form of beard.

Scale?

• Large-scale figure related to picture space.

• Expansive clothing = wealth, large velvet gown.

• Small scale work = private viewing

Texture, pattern & ornament?

• Soft range of textures - plush velvet, sumptuous fur & smooth silk.

• Slightly weathering texture of skin = wisdom & age.

• Sensitivity to textures = Venetian portraiture & use of oil.

Materials, techniques & process?

• Transparent oil glazes - luminosity of fabrics & textures.

• Influence of Venetian painting - use of light constructs form.

Where is the influence of Florentine painting seen?

In rigour & structure - drawing.