Fresco at Castello di Masnago
Posted: 13 May 2009, 23:52
Here is a photo of a fresco in the Castello di Masnago. (Lombardy, first half 15th c.)
I imagine someone must have published this elsewhere, but I found it in the book: "Gli Affreschi Quattrocenteschi Del Castello Di Masnago", Credito Varesino, 1967. (In Italian)
It is notable in that it is a very late example of the International Gothic style, which was quite out of fashion by the 15th century. Yet it is still employed here, perhaps looking back to the glory days of the aristocratic court.
This scene is found on the first floor, among other scenes of people engaged in everyday courtly leisure activities.
The upstairs set is composed of scenes of the vices and virtues. Notable in that these subjects are depicted as everyday people of court, rather than mythical figures of antiquity.
The caption reads: "la partita a tarocchi, già a Masnago, ora a Roma, collezione privata". (The game of tarocchi, already in Masnago, now in Rome, private collection.) The black and white image is captioned as "Tracia dell'affresco con la partita a tarocchi" (Tracing of the fresco of a game of tarocchi)
A footnote within the text says that the color photo illustrates the original painting that has been torn from the wall, and now (1967) resides in a private collection in Rome. The black and white photo shows how much of the original tracing is left on the wall fresco at Masnago.
Think about the Cary sheet when you look at this.
Among other things, I find both the choice of, and the division of subjects interesting, as they are presented in the building.
Also, the use of an almost obsolete art style to depict these subjects. It is a look back, rather than ahead.
And the depiction of ancient subjects within everyday people of court.
The idea of playing cards in a boat-
Perhaps I will return to that on another day.
ETA:
PS- I know there are no trump cards shown in the painting.
I imagine someone must have published this elsewhere, but I found it in the book: "Gli Affreschi Quattrocenteschi Del Castello Di Masnago", Credito Varesino, 1967. (In Italian)
It is notable in that it is a very late example of the International Gothic style, which was quite out of fashion by the 15th century. Yet it is still employed here, perhaps looking back to the glory days of the aristocratic court.
This scene is found on the first floor, among other scenes of people engaged in everyday courtly leisure activities.
The upstairs set is composed of scenes of the vices and virtues. Notable in that these subjects are depicted as everyday people of court, rather than mythical figures of antiquity.
The caption reads: "la partita a tarocchi, già a Masnago, ora a Roma, collezione privata". (The game of tarocchi, already in Masnago, now in Rome, private collection.) The black and white image is captioned as "Tracia dell'affresco con la partita a tarocchi" (Tracing of the fresco of a game of tarocchi)
A footnote within the text says that the color photo illustrates the original painting that has been torn from the wall, and now (1967) resides in a private collection in Rome. The black and white photo shows how much of the original tracing is left on the wall fresco at Masnago.
Think about the Cary sheet when you look at this.
Among other things, I find both the choice of, and the division of subjects interesting, as they are presented in the building.
Also, the use of an almost obsolete art style to depict these subjects. It is a look back, rather than ahead.
And the depiction of ancient subjects within everyday people of court.
The idea of playing cards in a boat-
Perhaps I will return to that on another day.
ETA:
PS- I know there are no trump cards shown in the painting.