Taddeo and Federico Zuccaro:

Artist-Brothers in Renaissance Rome
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
October 2, 2007–January 6, 2008

Brotherly love. That is the story of Taddeo and Frederico Zuccaro. Taddeo, the oldest, struggled with his craft and countless obstacles and his younger brother choose to illustrate these tribulations in his work. Frederico's loving artistry that focused on his brother's struggles provide insight into the difficult life of a Renaissance artist.

Title: Taddeo in the House of Giovanni Piero Calabrese, about 1590
Artist: Federico Zuccaro (Italian about 1541-1609)
Medium: Pen and Brown Ink, Brush with Brown Wash over Black Chalk and Red Chalk Underdrawing
Dimensions: Unframed: 27.5 x 26.6 cm (10 13/14 x 10 1/2 in.)
Framed: 64.5 x 79.7 cm (25 3/8 x 31 3/8 in.)
Accession Number: 99.GA.6.7
Image Courtesy: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

Taddeo Zuccarro was among the last of the Mannerist artists that followed but never quite matched the skills of the brilliant Renaissance masters: Raphael, Michelangelo and Da Vinci. Frederico was among the first to embrace Baroque.

Title: Taddeo Copying Raphael's Frescoes in Loggia of
Villa Farnesina, Where he is Also Represented Asleep, about 1590
Artist: Federico Zuccaro (Italian about 1541-1609)
Medium: Pen and Brown Ink, Brush with Brown Wash over Black Chalk and Red Chalk Underdrawing
Dimensions: Unframed: 42.4 x 17.5 cm (16 11/16 x 6 7/8 in.)
Framed: 64.5 x 79.7 cm (25 3/8 x 31 38 in.)
Accession Number: 99.GA.6.13
Image Courtesy: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

The brothers were both born in Sant'Angelo in Vado, Italy. At the young age of 14, traditional at the time, Taddeo left his home to develop his talent in Rome. His life was marked by starvation, deprivation, and sickness. In the end it was all worth it for Taddeo was one of the most famous Italian artists of his time and was especially noted for his talent as a draftsman. Among his other achievements was mentoring fellow artists including his younger brother Frederico.

Title: Taddeo in the Belvedere Court in the Vatican, Drawing the Laocoon, about 1590
Artist: Federico Zuccaro (Italian about 1541-1609)
Medium: Pen and Brown Ink, Brush with Brown Wash over Black Chalk and Red Chalk Underdrawing
Dimensions: Unframed: 17.5 x 42.5 cm (6 7/8 x 16 3/4 in.)
Framed: 64.5 x 79.7 cm (25 3/8 x 31 3/8 in.)
Accession Number: 99.GA.17
Image Courtesy: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

The commission to decorate Cardinal Alessandro Farnese's villa at Caprarola brought much needed financial security to the artist. From that he was able to create and run a large artist's studio. After his death in 1566 his brother, Frederico took over the studio.

Title: Taddeo Decorating the Facade of Palazzo Mattei, about 1590
Artist: Federico Zuccaro (Italian about 1541-1609)
Medium: Pen and Brown Ink, Brush with Brown Wash over Black Chalk and Red Chalk Underdrawing
Dimensions: Unframed: 25 x 42.2 cm (9 7.8 x 16 5/8 in.)
Framed: 64.5 x 79.7 cm (25 3/8 x 31 3/8 in.)
Accession Number: 99.GA.6.19
Image Courtesy: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

Federico Zuccaro lovingly and importantly captured the early life of his older brother Taddeo in his illustrations covering the hardships of early life in Rome until Taddeo's First artistic triumph coming four years after he left home at the age of 18. This was when Taddeo finished the facade decorations for the Palazzo Mattei.

The J. Paul Getty Museum has organized an exhibit exploring the Zuccaro brothers.

Taddeo and Federico Zuccaro:
Artist-Brothers in Renaissance Rome
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles:
October 2, 2007 – January 6, 2008

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

www.getty.edu

Taddeo and Federico Zuccaro:

Artist-Brothers in Renaissance Rome The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles October 2, 2007–January 6, 2008

© 2007 International Art Treasures Web Magazine, All Rights Reserved.

Artist-Brothers in Renaissance Rome
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
October 2, 2007–January 6, 2008