Studi su Raffaele Soprani

In: Artibus et Historiae, 13 (1992), Nr. 26. pp. 177-189

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Translation of abstract (English)

"Le vite de'pittori, scoltori et architetti genovesi..." by Rafaele Soprani, first written in 1647-57 but continually revised up until shortly before its posthumous publication in 1674, is the most important source of information on the history of Genoese art. The final version of the work contains 158 chapters and the biographies of 186 artists. These accounts are solidly documented and in general reliable, giving very few inaccurate dates. Soprani writes knowledgeably about Gothic and Renaissance art, but strangely ignores the profound changes that occurred in Italian painting in the seventeenth century. One of his most interesting topics is the uncontrolled export of Genoese art treasures abroad, which he condemns. The author's aim is to glorify the artistic achievements of his republic, but he also emerges as a major defender of the art of painting in the struggle to win for it appropriate recognition and social status.