How much do you know about each of these works of art from the 16th century and the museums where they reside?
Where does each of these paintings reside today?
“The Triumphs of Caesar” by Andrea Mantegna
This is a series of nine paintings (1486-1505) showing the Roman military parade of Julius Caesar and his Roman soldiers after returning from his successful campaigns. The paintings became extremely famous throughout Europe because of the various copies of them produced and disseminated in print form. The paintings reside in the Hampton Court Palace in London as part of the Royal Collection.
“The Sacred Allegory” by Giovanni Bellini
Bellini founded the Venetian school of painting, raising Venice to a Renaissance center of art that rivaled Florence and Rome and bringing a new sense of realism to art. The meaning of this painting (1490-1500) is not immediately clear, but the presence of the centaur (a mythological creature) among characters and symbols of the Christian faith appears strange and led to its title. It hangs in the Uffizi in Florence.
“The Crowning with Thorns” by Hieronymus Bosch
Also known as “Christ Mocked,” the painting (1490-1500) features a close and claustrophobic feeling that seems to invite us to share in Christ’s suffering. It resides in the National Gallery of London.
“The Paumgartner Altarpiece” by Albrecht Dürer
The work [c. 1503] currently hangs in Pinakothek in Munich. In 1988 the painting was seriously damaged by a vandal; restoration was completed ten years later.
“The Garden of Earthly Delights” by Hieronymus Bosch
This painting – the center panel of a triptych – painted c. 1504 is perhaps the best-known artwork by Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch. It can be seen in Prado, Madrid.
“The Three Philosophers” by Giorgione
The painting shows a bearded old man, an Arab, and a seated young man in a naturalistic landscape with a village and mountains in the background. The general meaning of this painting (c. 1505) – most likely allegorical – is not determined by scholars. It resides in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.
“The Feast of the Rose Garlands” by Albrecht Dürer
It is believed that this beautiful painting (1506) was ordered by the Confraternity of the Blessed Rosary. Next it was acquired by Emperor Rudolph II and brought to his residence in Prague in 1675. Today it hangs in the Narodni Galleri [the National Gallery] in Prague.
“The Death of Adonis” by Sebastiano del Piombo
Del Piombo was a Venetian painter who studied under Bellini and Giorgione and was also influenced by Michelangelo. This stunning and monumental painting (1511-1512) today hangs in the Uffizi of Florence.
“Noli me tangere” by Titian
When 20-year-old Titian painted this appearance of the resurrected Christ with Mary Magdalen (1511-1512), he created the scene with an original interpretation that stresses the importance of light and landscape (as had his master Giorgione). For Titian, landscape was never just an afterthought but was an integral part of a painting. “Noli me tangere” hangs in the National Gallery of London.
“Sacred and Profane Love” (also called “Venus and the Bride") by Titian
The painting (c. 1513) was commissioned by Niccolò Aurelio, a secretary to the Venetian Council of Ten, to celebrate his marriage to a young widow named Laura Bagarotto. It depicts the bride dressed in white sitting beside Cupid and assisted by Venus. Currently the piece resides in the Borghese Gallery in Rome.
“The Bacchanal of the Andrians” by Titian
This mythological masterpiece (1523-1525) hangs in the Prado in Madrid.
“The Battle of Alexander at Issus” by Albrecht Altdorfer
This work (1528), depicting Alexander’s most triumphant victory, is Altdorfer’s most famous painting. It hangs in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
“An Allegory of Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time” by Agnolo Bronzino
This allegorical painting (1545), done in the Mannerist style, shows Venus as a precious object in a luxurious setting, desirable yet unavailable. Today it hangs in the National Gallery of London.
Sources:
- Bailey, Colin J. The Art Quiz Book: 2000+ Questions on Painters and Paintings. Station Press: Scotland, 1995.
- Grove Dictionary of Art. Oxford University Press, 2006.
