Synopses & Reviews
Born in Bologna, Annibale Carracci (1564and#8211;1609) was one of the most revolutionary artists of the late Renaissance. Even before turning twenty, he rebelled against convention by investing his art with a sense of naturalism uncommon to paintings of the period. His early painting
The Butcherand#8217;s Shop, a cherished work in the Kimbell Art Museumand#8217;s collection, marks the beginning of Carracciand#8217;s artistic journey and remains one of his most powerfully naturalistic works.
This fascinating study explores the origins and significance of The Butcherand#8217;s Shop, placing it within the artistand#8217;s own career as well as the broader context of Italian painting. Detailing the uniqueness and vitality of Carracciand#8217;s style, C. D. Dickerson emphasizes the remarkable plein-air quality of the painting and explains how Carracci may have achieved this utterly novel effect, though in fact executing the work indoors in his studio. and#160;He also sets Carracciand#8217;s work in the tradition of butcherand#8217;s shop paintings in Renaissance Italy, analyzes the painting in relation to the reality of the occupation at the time, and investigates where in Bologna such a butcherand#8217;s shop might have stood.
About the Author
C. D. Dickerson III is curator of European art at the Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, TX.