Coppo di Marcovaldo

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Coppo di Marcovaldo (* probably in Florence around 1225; † around 1276) was an Italian painter who worked between 1250 and 1275.

Crucifix, San Gimignano, Pinacoteca Civica
Hell scene in the Baptistery of San Giovanni

Life

Coppo di Marcovaldo is considered one of the main masters of Tuscan painting of the second half of the 13th century. Nothing is known about his origins and training. However, his early works show a strong Byzantine influence. Apparently he was also familiar with Carolingian miniature paintings, because he succeeded in combining these two styles in his early paintings. From the feeble Byzantine models he was able to create new, highly dramatic and emotional motifs. He painted mighty, powerful figures with lively plays of light and shadow and hard dividing lines between the draperies.

In 1260, Coppo di Marcovaldo was included on the list of fighters in the Battle of Montaperti . Although there is no reliable evidence, it can be assumed that he was captured by the Sienese, because in 1261 he painted and dated his so-called “Madonna del Bordone” ( Basilica di San Clemente in Santa Maria dei Servi ) in Siena . In the following years he seems to have been heavily influenced by Sienese painting. His motifs, although more colorful, became much sadder. He increasingly worked with gold, which he now gave a very special sheen in its play of colors. At the same time he had an influence on Sienese painting that should not be underestimated. Among the artists who were visibly influenced by him was Guido da Siena , one of the main masters of Sienese painting. At the same time he was the teacher of his son Salerno , with whom he was commissioned around 1274 in Pistoia to paint five "beautiful pictures" for the cathedral. From these plates only one work has survived, which for stylistic reasons is mainly assigned to the son.

Selected Works

  • Birmingham, Barber Institute
The crucifixion of Christ.
The Last Judgement. (Mosaic)
Saint Francis with scenes from his life.
  • Florence, Santa Maria Maggiore
Scenes from the life of Mariae. around 1250–1260 (with workshop participation)
Mary enthroned with the child. around 1265-1268
The Archangel Michael with scenes from his life.
Crucifix. around 1255-1260
Madonna del Bordone. 1261
  • Whereabouts unknown
Maria with the child. (unfinished work)

literature

  • Miklòs Boskovits:  COPPO di Marcovaldo (Coppus Alarcoaldi). In: Alberto M. Ghisalberti (Ed.): Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani (DBI). Volume 28:  Conforto-Cordero. Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana, Rome 1983.
  • Kindler's painting dictionary. Kindler Verlag AG, Zurich 1964–1971,
  • Marc Wilde, The Unknown Key Work. The Madonna del Bordone des Coppo di Marcovaldo in Siena, VDG Weimar 2004.
  • Gertrude Coor-Achenbach : A Visual Basis for the Documents Relating to Coppo di Marcovaldo and his Son Salerno . Art bulletin. 28 (4), 1946
  • Gertrude Coor-Achenbach: Coppo di Marcovaldo: His art in relation to the art of his time . Marsyas Studies in the History of Art. 5: 1, 1948

Web links

Commons : Coppo di Marcovaldo  - collection of images, videos and audio files
personal data
SURNAME Coppo di Marcovaldo
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Italian painter
DATE OF BIRTH around 1225
DATE OF DEATH around 1276