Vittore Carpaccio Returned to Favor After Centuries of
Neglect
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Meeting of the Betrothed Couple
(detail) 1495, Tempera on
canvas
Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice
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Venetian Renaissance painter Vittore Carpaccio
(1472-1526) is another Italian Renaissance artist like
Botticelli whose career fell into disfavor for many centuries
until favor was restored in the 19th century. Although most of
his life is undocumented, it appears that Carpaccio was
chiefly influenced by Gentile Bellini. Carpaccio's teacher
is unknown, and his work was long considered old-fashioned.
Carpaccio's most significant works are those cycles from the
Life of St. Ursula (1490s) and Scenes from the Lives of St.
George and St Jerome (1502-07). The St. Ursula cycle in
particular is noteworthy for Carpaccio's rendering of the
intricate detail of the Venetian scene.
An examination of Carpaccio's works was undertaken by art
historian and critic John Ruskin in the 19th century, who is
responsible for restoring Carpaccio's reputation to favor so
that now he ranks second only to Giovanni Bellini among
important Venetian painters of his generation.
Brenda Harness, Art Historian
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