Barocci: Brilliance and Grace

Delightful exhibition at the National Gallery examining the work of Federico Barocci, the 16th century artist from Urbino.

The paintings were slightly mannerist in style but more delicate than Bronzino and Pontormo. His use of colour was beautiful.

The exhibition was beautifully arranged with one or 2 major paintings in each room surrounded my their fine preparatory drawings. He also specialised in doing very detailed studies for the heads of figures in chalk and pastel. There was also good use of the vista’s across galleries to display the works.

You also go a nice sense of the man who seemed to be gentle and meticulous. He became good friends with his patron Franceso Maria III della Rovere and they seemed to remain friends throughout their lives with Francesco recommending Federico for commissions and Federico adding Franceso’s castle to many of his works.

My favourite was the “Visitation” which just looked like a couple arriving at another couple’s house with one husband rushing out to greet them, the other dealing with the luggage and the women greeting each other.

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