Pietro Perugino - representative of the Italian Renaissance

Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci, or, as he is familiar to us, Pietro Perugino (≈ 1448-1523) - an artist of the early Renaissance. Born in a small town in the province of Umbria, he lived and worked in Rome, Florence and Perugia. His most outstanding student was the brilliant Raphael Santi.

Brief information about the artist

Pietro Perugino came from a wealthy family in Citta della Pieve. The first drawing lessons he supposedly received in the workshop of Fiorecio di Lorenzo. But in his youth he moved to Florence, where he received a full-fledged artistic education in the workshop of Andrea Verrocchio.

First works

These include the "Adoration of the Magi" (1470-1476). A traditional Christmas story unfolds against the backdrop of a landscape in which the early Leonardo influence is felt, with which the painter studied in one workshop. There, on a distant horizon, behind a tall tree silver light is scattered. Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, who were brought in by a bright star, prepare gifts, and old Baltasar already knelt before Maria and her divine baby. Joseph modestly stands behind her. High emotional tension is due to the deep shadows and rich colors that the young master used. The dark blue raincoat of Maria, revealing her scarlet dress, allegorically speaks of the divine purity of the Virgin. It is assumed that in one of the most left-wing figures, in which only the face is written, the artist gave his portrait.

"The transfer of the keys of St. Peter "(1481-1482)

At the invitation of Pope Sixtus IV Pietro Perugino arrives in Rome to paint a house church, which later in honor of the Pope will be called the Sistine Chapel. There he creates one of the most perfect and best of his works - "Transfer of keys to the Apostle Peter." The fresco consists of two stripes. In the foreground are the main figures. And on the second - the area with architectural structures, which enhances the impression of power and monumentality. A particularly impressive impression is made by the central temple, which reproduces the famous structure in Jerusalem. The landscape with hills and thin trees gives a sense of infinity and airiness of perspective. The figures of the foreground, rhythmically repeating, create a musical diverse drawing. The apostle Peter knelt before our Lord, who is surrounded by disciples. Peter, however, humbly receives two keys, which are still a symbol of the Church today. In this mural everything is absolutely perfect - color, shadow, pattern, composition.

Martyrdom

Deeply believing man Pietro Perugino paintings mostly religious content. The painting "St. Sebastian "is made with oil on a board of oak in about 1495. She has been in the Louvre since 1896.

The prelate was condemned by the Roman military because he did not give up faith in Christ - the Savior of mankind. In the background there is a hilly landscape with delicate thin trees that hide in the haze. The marble perspective of the floor ideally enters the point where the landscape begins. The figure of the saint is placed between the arch supports, one of which is broken. This means that the pagan world is coming to an end, despite all the efforts to preserve it. Nothing can sway this belief of Sebastian. He stands in the center of the picture, creating a perfectly symmetrical composition. The saint is tied to a column of red porphyry. His naked body, closed only with a loincloth, has perfect forms. His head is thrown back, and he stares languorously into the sky, seeking help and courage for suffering.

Perugino Pietro: "The Madonna"

The painting "The Madonna in Glory with the Saints" (1500-1501) is painted on canvas with oil and is kept in the National Picture Gallery in Bologna. As Vasari believed, this work is a new approach of Pietro Perugino to the theme. Composite it is divided into two parts, between which there is no connection. The Madonna and Child are high in the celestial spheres in the central part of the composition. The Golden Arch is blessed with divine light. Symmetrically on both sides of it are angels who folded their hands in prayer. The throne of her feet is a cloud, which also supports the figure of an angel. Below against the backdrop of a charming hilly landscape stand Archangel Michael in armor from left to right, Catherine of Alexandria, Apollonius with pliers and John the Theologian.

«The Madonna di Loreto» (1507)

The Madonna and Child stand on a pedestal, surrounded by St. Hieronymus in the clothes of the Cardinal and St. Francis of Assisi. Two angels, hovering above, carry the Virgin Mary crown. Pietro Perugino does not strive to create an original composition, but wants to perform impeccably work with the highest possible quality. Every detail is thought through in it, especially the direction of the light. He refracts in draperies, playing rainbow colors.

Almost five centuries they look from the canvases of the saints, captured by the artist. We are given our gentle and wise view of the Madonna, Pietro Perugino. His works are masterpieces that for a long time fall into the soul. The artist died during the plague epidemic, which came to Perugia.