Chapter II: Preface

Although no separate biography of Mantegna has been published in England, his life and works have been the subject of much study in other countries during recent years. The thanks of the writer are especially due to Dr. Woltmann, the author of the biography of the painter in Dr. Robert Dohme’s “Kunst und Künstler,” to M. Armand Baschet, Canonico Willelmo Braghirolli, and Dr. Karl Brun. It is to be hoped that before long the last-named of these scholars will give the result of his researches to the public in a complete work on this remarkable man, who was both one of the greatest artists and one of the most striking personalities of the Renaissance.

With regard to Francia, materials for the history of his life are far less plentiful, and are to be found almost exclusively in the works of Bolognese writers, of whom Malvasia and Calvi are the fullest and most trustworthy. In offering this little work as a guide for the use of those who have not the opportunity of studying the master’s works for themselves the author has only to add that the pictures mentioned have been carefully examined, and their descriptions written on the spot.

J. M. C.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

MANTEGNA.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY YEARS AND WORK AT PADUA. A.D. 1431-1457 1

CHAPTER II.

WORK AT VERONA AND MANTUA. A.D. 1457-1470 12

CHAPTER III.

THE CAMERA DEGLI SPOSI. A.D. 1470-1474 21

CHAPTER IV.

WORK AT MANTUA AND ROME. ENGRAVINGS, A.D. 1474-1490 29

CHAPTER V.

THE TRIUMPHS OF JULIUS CÆSAR. DRAWINGS, A.D. 1490-1500 38

CHAPTER VI.

LAST WORKS AND DEATH—HIS INFLUENCE ON ART. A.D. 1500-1506 50

FRANCIA.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY ART IN BOLOGNA. A.D. 1300-1450 65

CHAPTER II.

EARLY LIFE AND WORKS. A.D. 1450-1500 75

CHAPTER III.

THE FRIENDSHIP AND INFLUENCE OF RAPHAEL. A.D. 1500-1506 86

CHAPTER IV.

THE FRESCOES OF ST. CECILIA’S CHAPEL. A.D. 1506-1509 94