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Rafaelovim tragom
Raphael's St George and the Dragon is the work of a genius - an exquisitely rendered vision of heroism and innocence by one of the greatest painters of all time. Yet the painting's creation is only the beginning of a fascinating story that spans centuries of power play and intrigue, taking in a cast of characters both colourful and terrifying.
For the young Raphael the painting was an expression of his growing talents and a crucial step in his ascent to the peak of the Renaissance art world. But for a succession of jealous owners it became a symbol of power and prestige. Painted in Italy, St George and the Dragon was sent to England as a gift for Henry VII in exchange for the prestigious knighthood of the Garter, art being traded for honour. The painting then mysteriously disappeared for a century before re-emerging as one of the key works in the great collection of art built up by Charles I, only to be sold when the collection was forcibly broken up after his execution.
When Catherine the Great, a monarch of enormous appetites - political, sexual and cultural - later heard the painting was again on the market, she dispatched the famous philosopher Diderot to add it to her vast collection at the Hermitage in Russia. Treated both as an icon and as a Western masterpiece, St George and the Dragon survived fire and the Russian Revolution, only to be sold by the arch-Communist Stalin to Andrew Mellon, Capitalism's chief priest and one of the last US Robber Barons, in a secret and utterly illicit transaction.
Exceptionally written and breathlessly paced, The Raphael Trail shows how the greatest beauty in art can provoke the basest instincts in man.
For the young Raphael the painting was an expression of his growing talents and a crucial step in his ascent to the peak of the Renaissance art world. But for a succession of jealous owners it became a symbol of power and prestige. Painted in Italy, St George and the Dragon was sent to England as a gift for Henry VII in exchange for the prestigious knighthood of the Garter, art being traded for honour. The painting then mysteriously disappeared for a century before re-emerging as one of the key works in the great collection of art built up by Charles I, only to be sold when the collection was forcibly broken up after his execution.
When Catherine the Great, a monarch of enormous appetites - political, sexual and cultural - later heard the painting was again on the market, she dispatched the famous philosopher Diderot to add it to her vast collection at the Hermitage in Russia. Treated both as an icon and as a Western masterpiece, St George and the Dragon survived fire and the Russian Revolution, only to be sold by the arch-Communist Stalin to Andrew Mellon, Capitalism's chief priest and one of the last US Robber Barons, in a secret and utterly illicit transaction.
Exceptionally written and breathlessly paced, The Raphael Trail shows how the greatest beauty in art can provoke the basest instincts in man.
239 pages, Paperback
First published January 25, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 5, 2014
Others have rated this as only 2 or 3 stars and if you look at this book from the point of view of an art historian I might agree. This is not the sort of book I would refer to for my degree in History of Art.
However as a non-academic read I really enjoyed this. Pitman has embarked on what sounds like an incredible journey tracing the story of Raphael's 'St George and the Dragon'. The historical context of this painting makes up the book and it reads almost like a thriller. It was fun to read and I certainly learned from it.
However as a non-academic read I really enjoyed this. Pitman has embarked on what sounds like an incredible journey tracing the story of Raphael's 'St George and the Dragon'. The historical context of this painting makes up the book and it reads almost like a thriller. It was fun to read and I certainly learned from it.
August 12, 2011
Very interesting book that makes you think about the history of paintings. As the author said you are told about the artist and style but not about previous owners. I liked the personal info from the author about how she feels about the painting.
This painting is in the National Gallery in Washington DC.
This painting is in the National Gallery in Washington DC.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews