The historic gallery of portraits and paintings Volume 4; or, Biographical review - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1809 Excerpt: ...unbending severity of his own disposition, we may perhaps attribute, in some measure, the many troubles and miscarriages which the envy and malice of his enemies ex-cited against his peace. SPAGNOLETTO. Joseph Ribera, called, by the Italians, II Spagnoletto, was one of the most celebrated of the Spanish painters, although Italy claimed the honour of giving him birth. It is, however, certain that he was a native of Xativa, a city in the district of Valencia, although he was carried into Italy, by his father, at an early age; where he had constantly the finest models before his view. He unfortunately had not sufficient discernment to profit by these advantages, for forming an intimacy with Caravaggio, at Naples, he embraced the method of that master, as more eminently calculated by its truth, force, and effect, to fix the eye of the multitude. It was in vain that he afterwards studied the manners of Raphael and Correggio; he could only soften his style, and give more correctness to his design. A broad and vigorous pencil, an exactness of imitation, that did not diminish the boldness of his touch, and especially great strength of colouring, distinguish almost all his works. The truth which Ribera endeavoured to preserve in the terrible subjects he made choice of, caused him to produce many frightful pictures, which, under certain circumstances, it was necessary to withdraw from female view. On going to Rome he fell into a state of the utmost indigence. A cardinal, pitying his condition, gave him an apartment in his palace, and a comfortable subsistence. After passing some months in this tranquil state, SPAGNOLETTO. sfaik. Ribera, perceiving that prosperity produced an indolence of disposition, that retarded his progress, he left the house of his protector, rel...