Synopsis "The Chiaroscuro Woodcut in Renaissance Italy"
The art of the chiaroscuro woodcut is celebrated in this groundbreaking and exquisite book. Chiaroscuro woodcuts are among the most immediately appealing of all historic prints, displaying refined draftsmanship, technical virtuosity, and sumptuous color. Printing two or more woodblocks inked in different tones to create an image, the chiaroscuro woodcut was one of the earliest successful forays into color printing in Europe. Following its invention in Germany, the technique was adopted around 1516 in Italy, where it flourished through the sixteenth century. This novel art form engaged such celebrated artists of the Renaissance as Titian, Raphael, Parmigianino, and Beccafumi, and underwent sophisticated developments in the hands of such master printmakers as Ugo da Carpi, Antonio da Trento, Niccoló Vicentino, Nicoló Boldrini, and Andrea Andreani. Over the century, the medium evolved in format, scale, and subject, testifying to the vital interest among artists and collectors in the range of aesthetic possibilities it offered. Featuring more than too prints and related drawings, this book incorporates pioneering art historical research and scientific analysis to present the first comprehensive study of the subject. Essays and entries trace the creative origins and evolution of the chiaroscuro woodcut, describing both materials and means of production. Brimming with full-color illustrations of rare and beautiful works, this book offers a fresh interpretation of these remarkable prints, which exemplify the rich imagery of the Italian Renaissance.
