Venetian Prints in the Time of Tintoretto: The National Gallery of Art

There is a companion exhibition at the National Gallery of Art to the Tintoretto retrospective that features contemporary prints, as well as, more of his and his contemporaries' drawings.  There are around 100 works in a medium rarely featured in museums.  Seen together, you get a tremendous appreciation for not only the skill of the artists, but also the sensibilities of the culture.  I was surprised by how modern some of the works felt.  Here are just a few for your consideration.

"Saint Sebastian"

circa 1604

Odoardo Fialetti, 1573 - 1638

"Saint John the Baptist"

circa 1610

Palma Giovane, 1544 - 1628

"The Ark of the Covenant in the Temple of Dagon"

circa 1540 - 45

Battista Franco, circa 1510 - 1561

"A Flying Angel"

circa 1590-95

Palma Giovane, 1544 - 1628

"Venetian Soldiers Attacking Constantinople"

circa 1605-15

Domenico Tintoretto, 1560 - 1635

Yes, this is Tintoretto's son.

 This room was filled with more drawings by Tintoretto and some of his students.

"Apostle (Saint Matthew)"

circa 1550

Andrea Meldonne (called Schiavone), circa 1510 - 1563

I had to look at this image for more a moment to decipher the head of the figure.  Finally I got up real close before I realized the face was turned around looking away from the direction that the body was facing.  A very curious pose, but highly effective in demanding my curiosity and attention.

"Man Playing a Viola da Gamba"

circa 1525-35

Paris Bordone, 1500 - 1571