Ferrara and Farnese Rome
Excellent one day course organised by the London Art History Society at Conway Hall looking at the Renaissance court of Ferrara and Farnese Rome. This was the last in a series on the Italian Renaissance courts led by Paula and Geof Nuttall. In the morning we looked at Ferrara with Paula focusing on the rulers from the D’Este family and the art and architect they commissioned. For most of the period the city was ruled by the Nicolli II and his sons, both legitimate and illegitimate. I loved Lionello with his distinctive mane of hair who commissioned six portraits medals of himself by Pisanello and owned pictures by Netherlandish artists. Also Borso who loved luxury and is shown in a fresco in the Palazzo Schifanoia which he decorated. So many great characters! In the afternoon we turned to the Farnese family and in particular their time when Alessandro Farnese, Paul III was pope. Alessandro lived for 81 years from 1468-1549 during which time art changed comple...