Home LifestyleArt Art News: The Much Underrated Il Sodoma


Il Sodoma (1477-1549), born Giovanni Antonio Bazzi, was an Italian painter of the High Renaissance and Mannerist periods. He was active chiefly in and around Siena, with two periods in Rome. He was known for his skill in fresco painting, and his works are characterized by their elongated figures, soft modeling, and rich color palette.

Sodoma was born in Vercelli, Italy, in 1477. He trained in Siena with Pinturicchio, and his early work shows the influence of his master’s style. In 1502, Sodoma was invited to Rome by the Sienese merchant Agostino Chigi to paint frescoes in the Chigi Chapel in the church of Santa Maria della Pace. These frescoes, which include The Marriage of Alexander and Roxanne and The Rape of the Sabine Women, are among Sodoma’s most famous works.

In 1508, Sodoma returned to Siena, where he continued to paint frescoes and altarpieces. He also began to experiment with Mannerist styles, which were becoming increasingly popular in Italy at the time. Sodoma’s Mannerist works are characterized by their elongated figures, distorted perspectives, and artificial colors.

In 1513, Sodoma was again invited to Rome by Pope Julius II to work on the frescoes in the Vatican Palace. However, he left Rome after only a few months, reportedly due to a disagreement with the Pope. Sodoma returned to Siena, where he spent the rest of his career.

Sodoma died in Siena in 1549. He was one of the most important painters of the High Renaissance and Mannerist periods, and his works are still admired today for their beauty, skill, and originality.

Some critics see in Sodoma’s Madonna in the Pinacoteca di Brera (if it really is by him) the direct influence of Leonardo da Vinci. Modern criticism tends not to follow Morelli in supposing that Raphael painted Sodoma’s portrait next to himself in The School of Athens, while a drawing at Christ Church is supposed to be a portrait of Raphael by Sodoma.

Among his masterpieces are the frescoes, completed in 1526, in the chapel of St. Catherine of Siena painted for the church of San Domenico (Siena), depicting the saint in ecstasy, fainting as she receives the Eucharist from an angel. In the Oratory of San Bernardino, are scenes from the history of the Virgin, painted in conjunction with Pacchia and Beccafumi (1536–1538). These frescoes depict the Visitation and the Assumption. In San Francesco are the Deposition from the Cross (1513) and Christ Scourged. Many critics regard one or the other of these paintings as Sodoma’s masterpiece. In the choir of the Pisa Cathedral is the Sacrifice of Abraham, and in the Uffizi Gallery of Florence a St. Sebastian.

Some of his works, including the Holy Family now in the Pinacoteca, Siena have been mistaken for works of Leonardo da Vinci. His easel pictures are rare; there are two in the National Gallery, London.

Here are some of Il Sodoma’s most famous paintings:

Il Sodoma’s paintings are characterized by their elongated figures, soft modeling, and rich color palette. He was a master of fresco painting, and his works are still admired today for their beauty, skill, and originality.

Shayne Heffernan

You may also like

logo-white

Your Trusted Source for Capital Markets & Related News

Latest Articles

© 2023 LiveTradingNews.com – For The Traders, By The Traders – All Right Reserved.

The information contained on this website shall not be construed as (i) an offer to purchase or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or sell, any securities or services, (ii) investment, legal, business or tax advice or an offer to provide such advice, or (iii) a basis for making any investment decision. An offering may only be made upon a qualified investor’s receipt not via this website of formal materials from the Knightsbridge an offering memorandum and subscription documentation (“offering materials”). In the case of any inconsistency between the information on this website and any such offering materials, the offering materials shall control. Securities shall not be offered or sold in any jurisdiction in which such offer or sale would be unlawful unless the requirements of the applicable laws of such jurisdiction have been satisfied. Any decision to invest in securities must be based solely upon the information set forth in the applicable offering materials, which should be read carefully by qualified investors prior to investing. An investment with Knightsbridge is not suitable or desirable for all investors; investors may lose all or a portion of the capital invested. Investors may be required to bear the financial risks of an investment for an indefinite period of time. Qualified investors are urged to consult with their own legal, financial and tax advisors before making any investment. Knightsbridge is a private investment firm that offers investment services to Qualified Investors, Members and Institutions ONLY. Qualified Investors are defined as individuals who have met those Qualifications in the relevant jurisdictions. Members are defined as individuals who have been accepted into the Knightsbridge membership program. Institutions are defined as entities such as banks, pension funds, and hedge funds. If you are not a Qualified Investor, Member or Institution, you are not eligible to invest with Knightsbridge. All investments involve risk, and there is no guarantee of profit. You may lose some or all of your investment. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Knightsbridge is not a registered investment advisor, and this disclaimer should not be construed as investment advice. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. By accessing this website, you agree to the terms of this disclaimer. Thank you for your interest in Knightsbridge.