Tullio Lombardo and Venetian High Renaissance Sculpture

Book excerpt: The great Venetian sculptors of the High Renaissance, led by Tullio Lombardo (c. 1455-1532), explored a poetic and nostalgic approach to classical antiquity in their work. Their expression shares much with Mantegna, Bellini, Giorgione, and Titian in these painters' imaginative evocations of ancient history, mythology, philosophy, and poetry. Featuring a range of Tullio's work, including his sensuous and dramatic double-portrait reliefs, this book introduces the romantic qualities and beautiful craftsmanship of the sculptor and his closest followers, including his brother Antonio Lombardo, Simone Bianco, Antonio Minello, and Giammaria Mosca. Essays examine Tullio's innovations and the Venetian cultural setting where he developed them in dialogue with the northern Italian masters of Renaissance painting. Twelve works, carefully selected from this milieu, exemplify the creative approach and influ­ence of Tullio and the Lombardo workshop. Published in association with the National Gallery, Washington Exhibition Schedule: National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. (7/4/09 - 10/31/09)