Work of Art

PRESENTATION

RAFFAELLO (Raffaello Sanzio) , Loggia de Psyché, v. 1517, fresque, Roma, Villa Farnesina.

Quotation

In all these kinds of Pictures [ndr : images représentant la vie humaine, un trait de caractère d’un individu ou dont le but est de donner une leçon particulière] the Painter should avoid too great a Luxuriancy of Fancy, and Obscurity. The Figures representing any Virtue, Vice, or other Quality, should have such Insignia as are authoriz’d by Antiquity, and Custom ; or if any be necessarily of his Own Invention, his Meaning should be apparent. […]. There are fine Examples of these in the Palace of Chigi, or the little Farnese in Rome ; Rafaëlle has there painted the Fable of Cupid and Psyche, and intermix’d little Loves with the Spoils of all the Gods ; and lastly one with a Lyon, and a Sea-Horse, which he governs as with a Bridle, to shew the Universal Empire of Love.

Quotation

In all these kinds of Pictures [ndr : images représentant la vie humaine, un trait de caractère d’un individu ou dont le but est de donner une leçon particulière] the Painter should avoid too great a Luxuriancy of Fancy, and Obscurity. The Figures representing any Virtue, Vice, or other Quality, should have such Insignia as are authoriz’d by Antiquity, and Custom ; or if any be necessarily of his Own Invention, his Meaning should be apparent. […]. There are fine Examples of these in the Palace of Chigi, or the little Farnese in Rome ; Rafaëlle has there painted the Fable of Cupid and Psyche, and intermix’d little Loves with the Spoils of all the Gods ; and lastly one with a Lyon, and a Sea-Horse, which he governs as with a Bridle, to shew the Universal Empire of Love.