Spencer Alley: Guercino in Piacenza -1626-1627 (Cathedral Dome

Saturday, April 17, 2021

Guercino in Piacenza -1626-1627 (Cathedral Dome - II)

Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri)
Prophet Haggai
1626
fresco
Duomo di Piacenza

Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri)
Head Study for the Prophet Haggai
1626
drawing
Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence

Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri)
Study of Arm and Hands for the Prophet Haggai
1626
drawing
Staatsgalerie, Stuttgart

Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri)
Compositional Study for the Prophet Haggai
1626
drawing
Musée du Louvre

Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri)
Prophet Hosea
1626
fresco
Duomo di Piacenza

Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri)
Prophet Hosea (detail)
1626
fresco
Duomo di Piacenza

"Guercino was chosen both for his reputation as a fine painter and as a fast worker. Busily engaged throughout June 1626 on the preparation of his colours, he was ready to begin painting in early July. Since scaffolding had already been erected for Morazzone, he and his helpers were able to start forthwith. Guercino's six Prophets, as well as the Scenes from the Nativity of Christ and the other decorations in the drum below, are executed in a combination of buon fresco and fresco a secco. Buon fresco was used for blocking in the forms and colours of the composition, followed by extensive finishing touches a secco. Morazzone, an experienced frescoist, had painted his two Prophets entirely in buon fresco."