Renaissance Impressions.

Renaissance Impressions

The Royal Academy, 1st March - 15th June

Hendrick Goltzius Hercules Killing Cacus 1588

Chiaroscuro woodcut printed from three blocks, the tone blocks in yellow and green 

41.1 x 33.3 cm Collection Georg Baselitz, Vienna

Can 16^th century Chiaroscuro woodcuts be entertaining? Yes, they can, they are as dynamic as film. I was incredibly skeptical about seeing this exhibition. I usually skim over drawings at exhibitions and dash straight to the most colourful, flourishing paintings, but I have been stopped in my tracks. 

Hans Sebald Beham, Head of Christ crowned with Thorns. 1520-1.

The prints are usually based on the works of the greatest Renaissance artists from Titian to Raphael and are designed to capture the spirit of their masterpieces. They bring to life biblical scenes like Aeneas Fleeing Troy, mythical characters like Saturn and awe inspiring interpretations of Jesus' death. I was blown away. The artist’s ability to inject movement in their work with careful use of light and dark is mesmerising with technical brilliance. Ugo da Carpi's works were my favourite, his use of dark colour lining the edges of the muscles was a challenging technique I learnt at the Princes Drawing school to help define the contrast between light and dark. 

Ugo da Carpi. Saturn, 1524-7. Printed from four blocks, tone blocks in greyish brown.

 It was also fascinating to compare the different trends within the craftsmanship of Italy, the Netherlands and Germany. It is so incredible that hundreds of years later they are using techniques that I’m still being taught in life drawing lessons to show the tensing of muscles, the dynamic movement of twisting body, the height of emotion. 

If you are dubious, I urge you to give the exhibition a chance and dive out of central London’s crowds to take thirty minutes to breath in the sanctuary of the Royal Academy. Overall, the exhibition has been beautifully curated with low lighting and deep cobalt/grey walls, which give a a sense of harmony. Remember, taking an 'awe break' like this is vital to inspiration!

  Ugo da Carpi, after Raphael Archimedes (?) c. 1518-20

Chiaroscuro woodcut printed from five blocks, the tone blocks in beige, pale brown, brown and blackish brown 44.5 x 34.7 cm, Vienna