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Biography
of Lorenzo Lotto
Sources:
"Lotto, Lorenzo," Microsoft (R) Encarta. Copyright (c) 1994 Microsoft
Corporation;
Encyclopedia Britannica, Copyright (c) 1994 Funk & Wagnall's
Corporation; National Gallery of Art; and sites listed at the bottom of
the page. The artist whose work is featured on our
first Renaissance Spirit porcelain ornament is Lorenzo Lotto. Born around 1480
in Venice, Italy, Lorenzo was a north Italian painter of the High Renaissance.
Critics have stated that the quality of his many religious paintings and altarpieces is
uneven. However, he is best known for his psychologically penetrating portraits, such as
Portrait
of a Young Man (my studios.com), Head of a Young Man (1505,
Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence - photo courtesy Web Gallery of Art) and Portrait
of a Man with a felt hat ( Castello
Sforzesco, Milan - link leads to MyStudios.com ). His bold compositions and deep, velvety colors enhance the dreamy, often melancholy mood that is frequently seen in the faces of his subjects.
See Christ
Carrying the Cross (from mystudios.com). Or, Mystic
Marriage of St. Catherine with St. Mary and St. Catherine. And, St.
Catherine Virgin
with Child and St. Jerome and St Anthony. More works here, at Olga's
Art Gallery.
His efforts to paint in the styles of his famous contemporaries Raphael and Titian were usually unsuccessful.
However, one of his notably successful works is St. Nicholas of Bari in Glory (1529, Church of the
Carmini, Venice. A few photos of other Lorenzo Lotto paintings can
be found here.
Lotto's "Nativity" reveals many of the characteristics of his later paintings, including a fascination with the dramatic effects of light and shadow and what for his time was an original use of colors. An Italian, probably born in Venice about 1480, he never gained fame in his own time, overshadowed by the great master, Titian. In fact,
he tried to auction thirty paintings when he was seventy years old and
impoverished. He found buyers for only seven.
Lotto died in 1556 or 1557 in Loreto, Italy.
Why this painting was selected for a KCIC
Ornament:
Look over the shoulder of St. Joseph. In
the background is a crucifix with upon which hangs the Lord Jesus Christ.
The artist foreshadows
the fate of the innocent baby in the manger, Jesus Christ. He became God's gift of
redemption, salvation and deliverance for all (St. Luke 1:68pp) and especially to those who receive
Him. (St. John 1:1-12.) The birth of Jesus Christ was a fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus was born
that He might die for our sins. As the prophet John the Baptist said: "Behold,
the Lamb of the God which taketh away the sin of the world!" (St.
John 1:29.) Lotto's "Nativity" illustrates the truth of God's word and
captures the heart and soul of
Christmas with piercing clarity.
See more works by Lotto at the Web
Gallery of Art (61 works as a result of a search)
ChristusRex,
Nativity Art, and CGFA. Artcyclopedia
(also has a list of places his work is on display.) The Virtual
Museum of Art has a list of research links for Lotto. And finally, a detailed, four part bio of Lotto with photos of his works can be found at the Wales
Civic Trust with more brief bios at The
Culture Kiosk
and New Catholic
Advent.
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