Italy is an open-air museum. In every single region there are dream scenarios, every glance is captured by the sparkling grandeur of the cathedrals, monuments, archaeological sites. At times it almost seems that the eyes cannot contain so much magnificence, yet we never tire of admiring such remarkable works. To enumerate them all would be almost impossible, given that their value appears as infinite as the stars of a night sky. Today we are talking about the particular fresco of Raffaello Sanzio, il prophet Isaiah. Are you ready? Let's go!
Il prophet Isaiah: when Raphael meets Michelangelo
The Prophet Isaiah, magnificent fresco by the famous artist Raffaello Sanzio, is now located in the Basilica of Sant'Agostino in Campus Martius in Rome. This work was commissioned by the apostolic protonotary Johan Goritz, who knew well that in that period Raphael had become very popular, especially in the capital. According to Vasari, the fresco was completed between 1511 and 1512, shortly after the end of Michelangelo Buonarroti's work in the Sistine Chapel. Raphael's aim was to retrace the dictates of the school of Michelangelo, trying to give character and vigor to his prophet. The events of this fruit of Raphael's talent, however, were anything but serene. First of all, the work was wash, and this necessitated the restoration work by Daniele da Volterra. The last reworking took place in 1960, when ancient oil repaintings and XNUMXth century tempera and watercolor reworkings were removed.
There are several copies of this fantastic work: one performed for Cardinal Federico Borromeo in the Ambrosiana Picture Gallery in Milan, one in the Belvedere Gallery of Vienna attributed to Annibale Carracci, and one assignable to Giovan Battista Casanova in Dresden. A partial replica of the left putto (attributed by some to Raphael) is kept in the Galleria dell'Accademia di San Luca. It is said that the protonotary even confided to Michelangelo that he had paid too much for the prophet Isaiah. To these words, the Tuscan artist replied with a rather exhaustive sentence, firmly defending Raphael's skill:"Only the knee is worth its price."
Raffaello Sanzio and the prophet Isaiah: an artistic exercise… very successful
Although the work appears as a pictorial exercise to imitate the master Michelangelo, the prophet Isaiah is rich in skill and unique beauty. It is placed on the third left pillar of the main nave, and the prophet is portrayed seated on the throne between two putti, who carry a plaque and a festoon above his head. On the plaque there is an inscription in Greek, which reads: To Saint Anne, Mother of the Virgin, to the Holy Virgin, Mother of God, to Jesus the Savior, Giovanni Goritius. This is because, originally, in front of Raphael's fresco, a sculptural group with Sant'Anna, the Virgin and Child by Andrea Sansovino was planned. Not surprisingly, Sant'Anna was the patron's protector. On the parchment that Isaiah holds in his hands, a passage from the Book of Isaiah is read in Hebrew characters: Open the doors for the people who believe to enter.
A sacred inspiration inflates the drapery of the prophet, who turns to the left with his bust, while he spreads his parchment, which instead faces to the right. The draperies are rendered with bright and changing colors: the tunic is blue, and the golden yellow cloth on the leg and shoulders (in addition to the reddish veil on the head) accentuate the plastic effects of the figure. The marble seat on which the prophet is seated appears barely hinted at and flat, since it only acts as a background, and has no intrinsic value. The young and sweet face of the prophet seems measured, as indeed the whole composition. This makes it all very balanced, compared to Michelangelo's style. Of course, the work makes a lot of it when viewed up close, so… go and see it, and tell us what emotions it aroused in you!
