PT Journal
AU Bazant, J
TI Dante, Raphael, Michelangelo and Villa Star in Prague
SO Historica Olomucensia
PY 2014
BP 25
EP 49
VL 0
IS 88
DE Renaissance; art; classical mythology; virtues; active and contemplative life
AB The topic of this article is the reflection of the prominent Italian artists' work in the iconography of stucco reliefs on the ceiling of villa Star in Prague in 1556-1562. Although a style of these reliefs imitates Antique patterns, the majority of them was created in the first half of the sixteen century. In spite of the fact that the reliefs represent Antique themes and look "Antiquely", the detailed analysis shows that their sense has been transformed. These shifts in the meaning are significant for the reconstruction of the ideological programme of Star, but since now, nobody has paid them the attention. When analysing the iconography of the Star's stucco decoration, scholars primarily aimed at their relations to Ancient Roman monuments. However, the key to the solution of Star does not lie in Ancient Rome, but in the work of the artists who have mediated its heritage to Renaissance Europe, especially through the work of Raffaelo and Michelangelo.
ER