Correggio: Forward Looking—Forward Thinking

Correggio - Madonna and Child in Glory - c. 1510 - Oil on wood, 20x16 cm - Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence (click photo for larger image)Correggio (1490-1534) was the most important Renaissance painter of the school of Parma, whose late works influenced the style of many Baroque and Rococo artists. Italian painter, named after the small town in Emilia where he was born. (His real name was Antonio Allegri.) From his earliest days, he was influenced by Leonardo da Vinci. As a result, he developed a style of conscious elegance and allure with soft sfumato (layers of transparent color) and gestures of captivating charm. Correggio may well have visited Rome early in his career, although we don’t know for certain. The obvious inspiration of the paintings of Raphael and Michelangelo on his work could be accounted for by drawings and prints that were known all over Italy. He was one of the most sophisticated artists of his time.

Sorrow and glory are indistinguishable in this intimate work. Even the cloud-angels are solemn. The music-making angel on the right seems to play to the Child to sweeten the present, and distract him from his awareness of the future. The colours, too, are deep but muted. Correggio's figures occupy more three-dimensional space than those of many of his contemporaries' works.