In Focus: Tintoretto and the Scuole of Venice

Comprehensive online lecture from the National Gallery on Tintoretto focusing on the work he did for the scuole of Venice.

Sian Walters began by explaining how scuole were confraternities based on a shared nationality, trade or religious devotion. She outlined the work Tintoretto did for various scuole before concentrating on his work at the Scuola San Rocco.

She explained how he got the job in a competition but instead of drawing his submission he painted it and had a friend insert it on the ceiling of the main chamber and giving it to the scuola. How could they turn him down. She then took us though some of the images explaining how innovative the iconography and style was.

She finished by talking about how the scheme was received and the recent restoration project. I’m going to Venice later this year and can’t wait to see it again.

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