This is one of the most innovative and dynamic portraits of the Renaissance. The Venetian collector Andrea Odoni (1488-1545) holds in one hand a statue of Diana of Ephesus, the symbol of nature, and with the other he puts a cross on his chest, suggesting that Christianity takes precedence over nature and the pagan gods of antiquity. It is one of the most beautiful and ambitious of all Lotto's portraits and a deliberate challenge to the supremacy of Titian in the field.
Most of the sculpture in the current painting has been identified as versions, probably plaster casts, of well-known originals. There are three images of Hercules: Hercules and Antaeus; the standing figure with a lion skin, then identified as Emperor Commodus as Hercules; and Hercules Mingens on the far right. There are two depictions of Venus: the torso in the foreground (possibly Venus Victrix) and a bathing Venus. In the foreground there is also a cast of Hadrian's bust (Museo Nazionale, Naples). Odoni is holding a statue of Diana or Artemis of the Ephesians in his right hand. Only the bust of Hadrian is known in Odoni's collection, as it appears in the inventory of his brother Alvise Odoni.
Lorenzo Lotto (around 1480 Venice - 1556 Loreto) was an Italian painter who was active during the Italian Renaissance.
Art for sale. Shop with photos and art as wall decoration. Posters, metal (aluminium or steel), glass, canvas, photo print, wood, framed, canvas, photo wallpaper or garden canvas.
The collection of wall decoration or wall decorations is very broad, from nature through..
Read more…