Little is known about the Piedmontese painter Gaudenzio Ferrari. He worked mainly in his native region, many of his paintings can be found in Varallo Sesia, for example in the Franciscan church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where he executed an extensive fresco on the life of Christ, the "Gaudenzio Ferrari Wall". This is certainly one of his main works, an exuberant abundance of figures and scenes in a beguiling colourfulness invite to a close inspection. The central crucifixion scene almost captivates one, the moment of death is received with great horror by the disciples and followers of Jesus and his mother, which can still be felt emotionally today. Most of the churchgoers of the Renaissance could not read, but in these pictures they were able to experience the work, the passion and also the resurrection of Christ in an intensive way and to immerse themselves in prayer. The fresco, completed in 1513 according to the inscription, is undoubtedly one of the great masterpieces of the Renaissance in Piedmont and Lombardy. To this day it has remained a finely preserved gem.
The work of Gaudenzio Ferrari initially followed the influences of the older Milanese school. With one of its representatives, Giovanni Scotto, he initially worked in the workshop. Later influences of Leonardo da Vinci are noticeable, especially since Ferrari stayed in Milan for a longer period of time, where he died in 1546 at the age of about 75 years. Possibly he was even a direct pupil of Leonardo, even if the sources do not seem to be clear. Around 1524 he worked again for a long time in Varallo, this time on the Sacro Monte, the Sacred Mount, where he not only painted frescoes in the chapels, but also created reliefs with life-size terracotta figures. The Sacred Mount of Varallo is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also thanks to the masterpieces of Gaudenzio Ferrari. On the Sacred Mount, the faithful observers were to be encouraged to contemplation and prayer, and the master's works of art continue to unfold their effect to this day. Saints are also commemorated in various altarpieces. In this way, Saint Catherine is portrayed in a forceful way. The henchmen cannot harm her in the end, because her transfigured gaze points to God, her martyrdom was not in vain.
Finally, the extremely prolific artist created a multi-figured angel's concert in the domed church of Saronno. Here, these heavenly figures are literally teeming with them, playing flutes, strings, bagpipes and singing chorales together. A truly supernatural atmosphere is thus created during real choral singing in the church. In their lovely faces the great master Leonardo appears, who was certainly one of the great models of the Piedmontese artist. He created a communion for the refectory of San Paolo in Vercelli. No wonder that it reminds of Leonardo: In Milan, Ferrari had the Last Supper of Leonardo's hand in front of his eyes and also in the landscape painting the influences of the great genius can be felt.
Little is known about the Piedmontese painter Gaudenzio Ferrari. He worked mainly in his native region, many of his paintings can be found in Varallo Sesia, for example in the Franciscan church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where he executed an extensive fresco on the life of Christ, the "Gaudenzio Ferrari Wall". This is certainly one of his main works, an exuberant abundance of figures and scenes in a beguiling colourfulness invite to a close inspection. The central crucifixion scene almost captivates one, the moment of death is received with great horror by the disciples and followers of Jesus and his mother, which can still be felt emotionally today. Most of the churchgoers of the Renaissance could not read, but in these pictures they were able to experience the work, the passion and also the resurrection of Christ in an intensive way and to immerse themselves in prayer. The fresco, completed in 1513 according to the inscription, is undoubtedly one of the great masterpieces of the Renaissance in Piedmont and Lombardy. To this day it has remained a finely preserved gem.
The work of Gaudenzio Ferrari initially followed the influences of the older Milanese school. With one of its representatives, Giovanni Scotto, he initially worked in the workshop. Later influences of Leonardo da Vinci are noticeable, especially since Ferrari stayed in Milan for a longer period of time, where he died in 1546 at the age of about 75 years. Possibly he was even a direct pupil of Leonardo, even if the sources do not seem to be clear. Around 1524 he worked again for a long time in Varallo, this time on the Sacro Monte, the Sacred Mount, where he not only painted frescoes in the chapels, but also created reliefs with life-size terracotta figures. The Sacred Mount of Varallo is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also thanks to the masterpieces of Gaudenzio Ferrari. On the Sacred Mount, the faithful observers were to be encouraged to contemplation and prayer, and the master's works of art continue to unfold their effect to this day. Saints are also commemorated in various altarpieces. In this way, Saint Catherine is portrayed in a forceful way. The henchmen cannot harm her in the end, because her transfigured gaze points to God, her martyrdom was not in vain.
Finally, the extremely prolific artist created a multi-figured angel's concert in the domed church of Saronno. Here, these heavenly figures are literally teeming with them, playing flutes, strings, bagpipes and singing chorales together. A truly supernatural atmosphere is thus created during real choral singing in the church. In their lovely faces the great master Leonardo appears, who was certainly one of the great models of the Piedmontese artist. He created a communion for the refectory of San Paolo in Vercelli. No wonder that it reminds of Leonardo: In Milan, Ferrari had the Last Supper of Leonardo's hand in front of his eyes and also in the landscape painting the influences of the great genius can be felt.
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