Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Young Taddeo (Part II)

Allegories of Fortitude and Patience

The story of Taddeo Zuccaro (1529-1586) during his apprenticeship in Rome continues here, as told in the wash drawings created about 1595 by his younger brother Federico Zuccaro (1541-1609). Curators at the Getty Museum believe the lozenge-shapes were intended as design-segments for ceiling frescoes, probably in Palazzo Zuccari in Rome, which the very successful Federico came to own.    

Taddeo copying Raphael's frescoes in the loggia of the Villa Farnesina

Taddeo in the Belvedere Court of the Vatican drawing the Laocoön

Taddeo drawing by moonlight in Calabrese's house

Taddeo drawing after the Antique

Taddeo in the Sistine Chapel drawing Michelangelo's Last Judgment

Taddeo's Halluncination

Discouraged by the hard life with his master and ill with fever, Taddeo begins walking home to Urbino. On the way he falls asleep and has a vision that stones on the riverbank are covered with beautiful paintings. In his delerium he gathers a sack of these stones and struggles onward. Arriving home with the sack of stones (below) he is nursed back to health by his family.

Taddeo returns Home, and is seen (at left) in bed recovering from his Fever

Taddeo returns to Rome escorted by Drawing and Spirit, toward the Three Graces

Taddeo (at age eighteen) decorates the Facade of Palazzo Mattei, while Michelangelo observes (on horseback)

Allegories of Faith and Hope, flanking the Zuccaro emblem

Taddeo's early success permitted the younger brother Federico to enter the profession with less hardship. After Taddeo's death in 1586, Federico took over the workshop and became one of the best-known and richest Italian painters of his generation.