Ptolémée
Ptolémée
Giovanni di Ser Giovanni, known as
Scheggia (15th century) [previously attributed to
the school of Pollajuolo and to Francesco di Antonio di
Bartolomeo], Ptolemy in one of The Seven Liberal
Arts, medium unknown, ? x ? cm, Barcelona, Museo de
artes decorativas.
Giovanni di Ser Giovanni, dit
Scheggia (XVe siècle) [auparavant
attribué à l'école de Pollajuolo et
à Francesco di Antonio di Bartolomeo],
Ptolémée dans l'un des sept arts
libéraux, medium inconnu, ? x ? cm, Barcelona,
Museo de artes decorativas.
"Another confirmation comes from a more careful reconsideration of two chest fronts featuring the Virtues and the Liberal Arts, today in the Cambò collection in the Museum of Catalan art in Barcelona. At a first glance, they seem, (and they seemed) both to be works by Scheggia. But a more careful study reveals that, while the Liberal Arts are absolutely characteristic of this painter even if representing a late work of rather poor quality, the Virtues, although they are laid out and conceived in an identical manner, show a more up-to-date style of Florentine painting typical of the second half of the 15th century, calling to mind not only Domenico di Michelino, but also Verrocchio, Pollaiolo and Botticelli, even if the artistic level remains really modest. Today, we know that Scheggia had a son, Antonfrancesco - born in 1441 who died young in 1476 - who for a certain period had worked as a painter in his father's workshop. It can be calculated that Antonfrancesco began to work in the paternal workshop around 1460-65 and his ten years of activity correspond precisely to the presumed date of the Cambò chests. This presence alongside Scheggia not only made it possible for us to understand the slight stylistic differences that are visible in his later works, and give us an idea of how his son Antonfrancesco painted, but also constitute a further proof in favour of identifying Scheggia with the Maestro of the Adimari Chest."BELLOSI Lucian (translated by Leonora Dodsworth), Domestic painting in the Florentine Renaissance Giovanni di Ser Giovanni, known as Scheggia, La Repubblica of the Arts.
MITCHELL James, Assistant Reference Librarian, Frick Art Reference Library, 10 East 71st Street, New York, NY 10021 (212-547-0661).
Source: BELLOSI Lucian (translated by Leonora Dodsworth), Domestic painting in the Florentine Renaissance Giovanni di Ser Giovanni, known as Scheggia, La Repubblica of the Arts.
MUSEU NACIONAL D'ART DE CATALUNYA
Ptolémée