April 10, - July 10, According to legend, Saint Ursula traveled with 11, virgins to Cologne, Germany where the chief of the pagan Huns besieging the city fell in love with her. When she rejected his advances, he killed her with an arrow. The exaggerated contrasts between dark and light seem not merely a dramatic device but a symbolic allusion to sin and redemption; death and life. Through the special collaboration with the Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice and the Galleria Nazonale delle Marche, Urbino, the Metropolitan Museum is hosting a focused exhibition on the devotional paintings of Piero della Francesca: Intimate Encounters.
This is an exhibition of only four works, but they have never before been brought together; none has ever been shown in the USA; and the theme of Piero's work for private devotion has never been addressed. This is, therefore, an exhibition that promises to make an important contribution towards the study of this major figure of the Renaissance. The exhibition is sponsored by the Foundation for Italian Art and Culture.
Rather than focusing on the ideals of beauty and courage also inspired by this story, like many other Italian artists, Artemisia chooses to depict the most dramatic and bloody moment of the story. Highlighted by this exceptional loan from Italy, this exhibition will explore the historical importance of Artemisia Gentileschi, as well as the Judith theme in art history. The most celebrated artist in Renaissance Venice, Titian is unsurpassed as a painter of beautiful women. One of his most iconic creations is popularly known as La Bella—the beautiful woman.
The painting was first owned by Francesco Maria I della Rovere, duke of Urbino, a mercenary military leader. The painting in question was doubtless La Bella, which is today in the collection of the Galleria Palatina, Palazzo Pitti, in Florence.
Its rich history is characterized by mystery and intrigue: one of the "rumors" among scholars is that the woman portrayed was Raffaello's lover Margherita Luta, who also appears as a model in other important works, such as La Fornarina.
