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Jan 1, 1550
The Bridal Chamber of Herse
Artist unknown. The Bridal Chamber of Herse, c.1550. The colorful tapestry was manufactured in The Workshop of Willem de Pannemaker, a 16th century Flemish tapestry designer. The design reveals expertise in tapestry making. The border images seem to be unrelated thematically to the primary scene depicted in the center of the tapestry. The images and scenes allude to important events and works of famous artists, while other aspects consist of symbolic references to religious ideas. -
Period: Jan 1, 1550 to
Art623 Works of Fine Art
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Jan 1, 1559
Mercury
Alessandro Vittoria. Mercury. c.1159-1560. Vittoria is recognized as one the most influential sculptures of the late 16th century. His depiction of the Greek and Roman god Mercury is presented in true mannerist style. It is argued that the downward glance of the statue is proof that it was originally made to be placed in an elevated position. Mercury is one of many of Vittoria’s works that portrays images similar to Greek and Roman sculpture. -
Jan 1, 1560
Allegory of Francesco I de Medici
Giambologna. Allegory of Francesco I de Medici. c.1560-1561. The content of the work includes symbolic references to gods, Florence, the Arno river, and the passage of time. This relief carving made of alabaster was created as a testament to Francesco’s power and influence in Florence. -
Jan 1, 1560
Geneva Bible
Geneva Bible. 1560. This particular version of the Bible was the very first of its kind. The production of the Geneva Bible marked the first time a mass-produced mechanically manufactured Bible was made available to the general population and because the Geneva Bible included a number of additional features (study aides), it became widely recognized as the first study Bible. -
Jan 1, 1563
Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Juan Bautista de Toledo and Juan de Herrera. Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. 1563-1584. King Philip II of Spain commissioned Toledo to design El Escorial as a symbol of Spain’s role as the center of Christianity. The design reveals the cleverness and simplicity of the palace while preserving the image of the king as the seat of authority in Spain. The monumental structure was built as a multifunctional architectural construct. It served as the royal residence, school, and monastery. -
Jan 1, 1567
The Way of Perfection
Teresa de Avila, The Way of Perfection c.1567 genre Christian spirituality and mysticism. Teresa de Avila was an influential part of the Catholic reformation. The Way of Perfection was written as a guide and instruction manual for the nuns in her Order, but gained popularity outside her Order. -
Jan 1, 1567
Villa La Rotonda
Villa La Rotonda. Andrea Palladio.1567 -1592? or 1606?. Located near Vicenza, Italy, Villa Capra was originally built as a country house for retired priest Paolo Almerico. Andrea Palladio the man responsible for beginning the construction on La Rotonda was very precise in his measurements, organization, and arrangement of the villa. The symmetrical design of the structure contrasted with the asymmetrical landscape provided an odd, yet appealing quality to the overall feel of the country villa. -
Jan 1, 1568
Longleat House
Robert Smythson. Longleat House. 1568-1580. This awe inspiring stately manner, the original home of Sir John Thynne, was built after a fire destroyed the previous structure, an Augustinian priory. The home was built over a few years and a number of designers collaborated on the project. Robert Smythson was the main designer. Longleat contains all the elements of Elizabethan architecture and is recognized as a model of Elizabethan architectural design. -
Jan 1, 1568
Coconut Cup
Michael Keberlin. Coconut Cup. c.1568-70. Coconut was a rare commodity in 16th century Europe. Kerberlin’s cup would have been a very rare item 16th century Germany, so it is very likely that the cup was manufactured for a very wealthy customer. The technique used for the cup’s metallic portion is known as silvergilt. The metalwork appears to be solid gold, but actually the primary metal is silver. -
Jan 1, 1570
Mars and Venus United in Love
Paolo Veronese (Paolo Caliari). Mars and Venus United by Love. c.1570s. Veronese described by many as the greatest painter of his generation earned the praise by producing visually striking, opulent, and dramatic paintings. Veronese’s master of color as demonstrated in Mars and Venus United in Love may be credited as the central feature of his works and one of the primary reasons his works have impacted generations of artists and have been praised and preserved. -
Jan 1, 1573
The Feat in the House of Levi
Paolo Veronese. The Feast in the House of Levi. 1573. The painting name was later changed after Veronese was question by Catholic officials. The images depicted in the painting were not consistent with the Church’s doctrine, so Veronese was instructed to change the painting, but instead he changed the name. Veronese’s technical skill adds to the beauty and quality of this painting, but what sets it apart from other works of the period, is the size of the painting, measuring 18ft x 42ft. -
Jan 1, 1580
The Virgin of Sorrows
Germain Pilon. The Virgin of Sorrows. c.1580s. The terracotta sculpture depicting the Virgin Mary grieving for her slain son, demonstrates the popular mannerist style typical of 16th century art. -
Women on a Terrace
Alessandro Allori. Women on a Terrace. 1589. Women on a Terrace illustrate a kind of painting known as genre painting. Genre painting is a popular style of painting in which scenes from everyday experiences are depicted. The technique used for this painting is known as fresco. Fresco is an early technique typically used for mural paintings. -
A Midsummers Night Dream
William Shakespeare. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, c.1590-1596. stage play. Genre, Comedy. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is undoubtedly one of Shakespeare’s most popular works. This classic work has yet to lose its appeal. The stage production is still being performed throughout the world. -
The Faerie Queene
Edmund Spenser. The Faerie Queene. 1590. Genre epic poetry. The Faerie Queene was written as a tribute to the Tudor Dynasty and the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. -
Edward II
Christopher Marlowe. Edward II. c.1593. Genre: English historical play. Edward II was published shortly after Marlowe’s death. -
Now is the Month of Maying
Morley, Thomas. Now is the Month of Maying. 1595. Thomas Morley made a name for himself composing secular music in the Elizabethan era. Morley’s most famous compositions were written in madrigal form. Now is the Month of Maying was created as an English ballet and incorporated the lyrics of Orazio Vecchi’s canzonet So ben mi ch'a bon tempo. The playful lyrics—presumably a celebration of spring—contain subtle references to sexual activity. -
Apollo, ca. 1595–97
Adriaen de Vries. Apollo, ca. 1595–97. Apollo the creation of Adriaen de Vries is a reproduction of a famous ancient Roman statue, the Apollo Belvedere. The bronze statue depicts the god of archery Apollo, one of the few gods associated with the ancient Greek pantheon of gods and goddesses. The artists skillfully crafts the Apollo to represent motion and the perfect male form. -
The Coronation of the Virgin
Annibale Carracci. The Coronation of the Virgin. c.1595. One of the most popular and influential artist of his era, Carracci was somewhat of a pioneer. His style paved the way for new developments and movements in art. Carracci’s work reveals a keen eye for light and color, and spatial organization and reflects the innovative and experimental style attributed to the Italian painter. -
Come Again, Sweet Love Doth Now Invite
Dowland, John. Come Again, Sweet Love Doth Now Invite. 1597. Come Again, sweet love doth now invite, appeared in Dowland’s First Booke of Songes or Ayres, published in 1597. Dowland known for his melancholy style intended Come Again…to be performed solo and accompanied by the lute, but the manner in which the song is composed makes it possible to be performed in the madrigal form, a popular style of music during the Elizabethan era. -
Calling of Saint Matthew
Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi). Calling of Saint Matthew. c.1598-1600. Caravaggio one of Italy’s most well-known and influential artists, was a prominent and influential figure in the development of Baroque era in art. Caravaggio was a true radical preferring experimentation to traditional modes of painting. Calling of St. Matthew, one of two paintings (the other being Martyrdom of Saint Matthew) composed by Caravaggio gained him recognition and solidified his reputation as brilliant artist. -
Oval with Panorama of Piazza della Signoria
Jacopo Bilivert. 1599. Oval with Panorama of Piazza della Signoria. This mosaic style design features gold bas-relief, silver, lapis lazuli, and crystal. Although the mosaic style of this design suggests it was used primarily as decoration, nonetheless Bilivert’s precise representation of three-dimensional space demonstrates the items close relation to works of fine art.
