Tranquillo Cremona facts for kids
Tranquillo Cremona (born April 10, 1837 – died June 10, 1878) was an important Italian painter. He was known for his unique style, which often featured soft, blurry edges and a dreamy feel. He was part of a group of artists who wanted to create new kinds of art.
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Early Life and Training
Tranquillo Cremona was born in Pavia, a city in Italy. His brother, Luigi Cremona, became a famous mathematician. When Tranquillo was young, he learned how to paint from artists like Giovanni Carnovali and Giacomo Trecourt. From 1852 to 1859, he lived in Venice, which is a city famous for its art.
Joining the Scapigliatura Movement
Later, Cremona moved to Milan. Here, he became part of a group called the Scapigliatura movement. This group included poets, writers, musicians, and artists. They were known for being a bit rebellious and wanting to try new things. They didn't like the old, strict rules of art and wanted to be more free and creative.
Tranquillo Cremona's paintings showed this new way of thinking. His art often looked like it was moving, with soft, flowing lines. It was very different from the clear, sharp style of other artists at the time, like Francesco Hayez. His style reminded people of older Venetian painters, like Titian, who also used a special way of applying paint.
His Unique Painting Style
Cremona painted many different subjects, including portraits of people. He also created large paintings, such as Marco Polo At The Court of Kubla Khan (finished in 1863). Another famous work is Lovers at the tomb of Juliet.
His paintings often featured women. He also painted scenes from famous stories, like Scenes from Goethe's Faust. Cremona used his brushstrokes to make figures look dazzling. The edges of his subjects often seemed to blend into the background. This made his paintings feel very lively and full of movement.
His painting method was called pittura de tocco e di macchia. This means "painting of touch and dots." It was a way of painting that focused on how the paint was applied, creating a special texture and look. Famous painters like Rembrandt and Titian also used similar techniques. Two of his artworks can be seen in the Museo cantonale d'arte in Lugano.
Later Works and Legacy
One of his well-known paintings is La Melodia (The Melody), painted in 1874. It shows a woman at a piano, and the painting has a soft, almost blurry look. It makes you think about the music itself, not just the person playing.
Another important work, L’edera (The Ivy), was completed in 1878, just a few months before he passed away. This painting shows two figures embracing, but their actions and even who they are can seem a bit mysterious.
Tranquillo Cremona was friends with Carlo Dossi, a writer from the Scapigliatura group. Even today, new books by writers and poets from this movement often have Cremona's paintings on their covers.
Sadly, Tranquillo Cremona died young, at the age of 41, in Milan. He had a sudden illness, which many believe was caused by the oil paints he made himself. He used to test these paints by putting them on his skin.
Gallery
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Marco Polo before the Grand Khan (1863)
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Portrait of Luigi Luvoni (1872)
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Repeating the Lesson, watercolour on paper, (1876)
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Girl with an Illness, oil on canvas (1877)
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The Curious Women, watercolour on paper (1877)
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Melody
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Ivy, oil on canvas (1878)
The male figure depicted is the composer Alfredo Catalani.
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See also
In Spanish: Tranquillo Cremona para niños
