I have always wondered where Piero Della Francesa got his inspiration for the hats he painted. No one else in Italy seemed to use these styles in their painting and this was just one of the things that so charms me about his work. Reading
Piero's Light by Larry Witham gave me the answer. In 1439, the Roman Pope, the Byzantine Emperor and the Greek Church Patriarch, met in Florence; the Pope working hard to consolidate his power. "
'It was a visual feast by all accounts, Florentines already dressed brightly... and to the Italians, the secular Byzantine officials and higher Greek clergy were an equally marvelous sight." Records have placed Piero in Florence at this time.
"That visit would have an impact on his future paintings, where he would feature oriental-style costumes." Puzzle solved.
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| Legend of the Cross, Dream of Constantine, by Piero della Francesca, 1452-62. Arezzo. Detail |
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| Legend of the Cross, by Piero della Francesca, 1452-62. Arezzo. Detail |
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| Legend of the Cross, by Piero della Francesca, 1452-62. Arezzo. Detail |
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| Legend of the True Cross, detail (c. 1452-66, Fresco, San Francesco, Arezzo, Italy) |
wow, fantabulous, thanks Liz, what a feast for the eyes
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz, I never get tired of Piero, always such pleasure.
Deletenice!
ReplyDeleteThanks Phillip!
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