Renaissance Blog: "The Tavola Strozzi"
“The Tavola Strozzi”
Introduction
As
the first perfectly detailed painting of the city of Naples, Italy during the Italian
and Northern Renaissance, this piece of art was created with tempura paint; The
Tavola Strozzi is a unique piece of art that exemplifies the city of
Naples, Italy sometime in the years of 1472 to 1473, the 15th century.
A century filled with famous artists who all created many types of art that set
the stage for future generations to continue to construct, and advance above; continually
advancing to where modern art lies in today’s new millennium, just about 550
years later. Sculptors, architects, painters, wood workers, engravers, and many
famous types of artists all contributed to the growth of the economy, the
society, religion, and humanism. The Italian Renaissance, then the Northern European
Renaissance advancement spread across the globe through dominating countries’
explorations and voyages, for the years and centuries to come.
It is believed, attributed, and questioned, that The Tavola Strozzi was completed by painter, engraver, and recognized cartographer, Francesco Rosselli, sometime after the ‘The Battle of Ischia’ when the Aragonese returned with their warships, back to Naples, Italy. This piece of art was unsigned and undated but is attributed to being completed in one of Rosselli’s shops, by his shop artists, or he himself. Upon completion of The Tavola Strozzi painting, Florentine merchant Filippo Strozzi purchased and gave the painting as a gift to the Aragonese King Alfonso II (A/K/A, King Alfonso V). The original painting now resides at the National Museum of San Martino in Naples, Italy.
“Fig.1 – Anonymous, View of Naples. The Tavola Strozzi, 1473.”
Source: https://journals.openedition.org/mediterranee/2848
Artist Rosselli was born
in Florence, Italy in 1445 where he spent most his young life until he moved to
Hungary. It is believed he moved because of Florentine debt, according to his brother
Cosimo. Leaving his wife and children, he moved first moved to Hungary, where
he made maps for Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus. After residing in Hungary,
he returned to Florence and opened his own shop, where he sold his engravings.
He continued creating maps out of his shop, and was later recorded to be present
at Venice, Italy.
Francesco had many
styles of artwork that he finished, or that his workshop artists completed through
different techniques, and styles. Rosselli had many famous works of art
including, the first printed map of the World that depicted the Americas after
Christopher Columbus’ (born in Genoa, Italy) voyages, or his pictorial
engravings that were influenced by his fellow Florentine artist Sandro Botticelli.
His series of fifteen engravings of the Life of the Virgin and Christ is
one of his best-known work. He created many maps which expanded Humanism
and spread it throughout the world ultimately leading to the Reformation, taken
on by others. Though his shop created maps of explorations with extravagant
detail and sold them, Rosselli is best known for his engravings.
Aesthetics and The Tavola Strozzi Painting History
Conclusively
known as a ‘tempera’ painted view of Naples, Italy bay, or port, this reluctant
piece of art is known to be permanent and made to last for centuries. For example,
the first recognized tempera painting is that of the Roman period in the First
Century AD, by Greco-Roman artists living in Egypt; those paintings are still
preserved to this day. The Italian Renaissance Era is known to have rediscovered
ancient Greek and Roman styles that led to the Northern Renaissance shortly
afterwards.
Textured
with smooth, thick paint it created a matte picture of the beautiful 1470’s
view of Naples, with the Castle Nuovo in clear view depicting how life was in southern
Italy during the Italian Renaissance. Presenting the painted, unique
hand-crafted architecture that housed many of the cities’ population is amazing;
for the hard work that was implemented to construct those residents, etc. under
the kingdom that went thru changes of royal leadership after prior (and future)
battles, and conquests. The image (below) of the original painting, proves the
balance of the city with the mountains in the backdrop aligned between the horizon
of the sky, and the Bay of Naples. The sea is rhythmically demonstrated with
war ships of the cities’ military: the painted alignment, and well docked ships
show discipline and accuracy of the troops’ actions; consistent and professional
in a time of changing royal King’s.
The
value contrasted in work of The Tavola Strozzi, from Rosselli’s shop, is
two-dimensional, and explicitly shows the sunsetting. The contrast exposes the sun-lighted
detail, involving the windows that overlook the Port behind the shadow of the
hills; meanwhile the white, and red color of the structures amplify the type of
living during this era. Closely neighboring each other at a time without electricity,
the linear pattern of the painted structures demonstrate this simple view of
the city that lies within a mountainous coastline; regardless, the city was one
of the major contributors to the Italian Renaissance for wealth and trade with
imported goods from other countries.
Connection and Influences
Overall,
I admire this first documented view of Naples, Italy showing the extravagant
painting of a city, like many, that proves ‘the Hard Work’ involved in creating
such unique, sustainable structures and architecture. The hard work and
knowledge involved in the planning, situating, and constructing of this city in
such an early era when there was not electricity to assist, just bare hands,
ingenuity, creativity, and minds is inspiring and educating. The strength of
each citizen involved in the creation of a Bay City that was conquered
frequently over a span of centuries, until the Italian Renaissance began and changed
the thought of questioning religiousness and spanned a turn towards Humanism. A
time when the Medici’s ruled Florence, and when Europeans began voyages that set
sail to explore the rest of the world. This historic activity was influenced by
the rise of Humanism popularizing Italians in 1400, spreading across Europe. A
time when subject matter and science was the new curiosity for humanity,
overriding religion, though, religion was not eradicated.
I
can personally relate to the witnessing of establishment and the rebuilding of communities
in a similar manner. When I was a child a devastating flood wiped out my entire
community. Residents were evacuated, and could not return home until the
following winter, over a year later, because of the contamination present from the
flood that swept homes, and public buildings down river; flooded homes and the airport
runway were damaged. Rebuilding was the only option, for the people lived in
the surrounding area for centuries, sustaining life and traditions, building and
rebuilding. Reformation is always a threat towards my culture, but strength and
knowledge are passed on as it always was for centuries, like other cultures
around the world.
This devastation flood
happened in the late 1900’s when modern American art, music, science, and technology
began to flourish and reach rural Alaska. Further influencing the need for
advancing education, which changed local response to cultural knowledge, inheritance,
and beliefs more towards science and subject matter. It influenced me to further
my education and attend a university to obtain a degree. I enjoy art, and history
of many diverse cultures around the World, because it has an impact on the development
and effect of my own place I call home, where my identity evolved from, and
continues to go. Passing on my cultural knowledge, observations, language, and skills
to my children for future generations are especially important to me; it is a
part of my life. However, school education is also key.
Conclusion
I would certainly
enjoy a copy, or reproduction of ‘The Tavola Strozzi’ original painting:
detailing a developing port city in the late 1400’s, fully painted with people,
horses, rugged sustainable ships, humid clouds, busy on-guard people on the shoreline,
and the Castle Nuovo. It inspires me and reminds me of myself and my region
during a time of new development with drastic impacts and changes. The space
depicted in this tempera-wood paneled painting is full of activity. A painting
that is possibly toxic in presence because of the ingredients used in such an
era to provide matte colors: However, well-preserved, and well worth viewing.
It tells a story that is immense-fully acknowledged by me, for all the art and history
is interesting in detail.
Thank you for reading my Renaissance blog!
Citations
Colletta, Teresa. “The Historical Naples’ Waterfront and the Reconversion of the Military Locations: The Acton Dock, the Bourbon Dockyard and the San Vincenzo Pier.” Open Edition Journals (journals.openedition.org), UAF Library Database. Journal of Mediterranean geography, Mediterranee 111. Published 2008. Online since 01 June 2010. Viewed on 20 March 2021. URL, https://journals.openedition.org/mediterranee/2848.
History Crunch Writers. “Naples in the Renaissance.” History Crunch (historycrunch.com). History Crunch Writers. Published, August 18, 2018. Last Updated, July 29, 2019. Date Viewed, March 17, 2021. URL, https://www.historycrunch.com/naples-in-the-renaissance.html#/.
Wikimedia Commons Contributors, User, Sailko. "File:Tavola strozzi (flotta aragonese al ritorno della battaglia di ischia il 12 luglio 1465), 1465-1500 ca., 11982, 01.JPG." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 4 Oct 2020, 08:57 UTC. 22 Mar 2021, 20:04 https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Tavola_strozzi_(flotta_aragonese_al_ritorno_della_battaglia_di_ischia_il_12_luglio_1465),_1465-1500_ca.,_11982,_01.JPG&oldid=480373483.
Kljaich, Lisa. “Influences
on the Northern Renaissance.” Art200x: Explorations in Art. UAF
Blackboard. January 18, 2018. August 20, 2020. Collected March 16, 2021.
https://art200.community.uaf.edu/2018/01/13/02-influences-on-the-northern-renaissance/.
Kljaich, Lisa. “Italian
Renaissance Content.” Art200x: Explorations in Art. UAF Blackboard. May
5, 2018. Collected March 16, 2021. https://art200.community.uaf.edu/italian-renaissance-content/.
Kljaich, Lisa. “Humanism
During the Renaissance.” Art200x: Explorations in Art. UAF Blackboard.
January 11, 2018. August 20, 2020. Collected March 16, 2021. https://art200.community.uaf.edu/2018/01/11/humanism/.
Wikipedia
contributors. "Francesco Rosselli." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 12 Feb. 2021.
Web. 24 Mar. 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_Rosselli.
Wikipedia
contributors. "Tempera." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 9 Feb. 2021.
Web. 24 Mar. 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempera.
Schadler, Koo. “History
of Egg Tempera Painting.” Koo Schadler website. 2017. Collected March 20, 2021.
https://www.kooschadler.com/techniques/history-egg-tempera.pdf.
SparkNotes Editors. “Italian Renaissance (1330-1550): Timeline." SparkNotes.com, SparkNotes LLC, 2005. https://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/renaissance1/timeline/
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