Marco Basaiti
Marco Basaiti (c. 1470 – 1530) was a Venetian painter of the Renaissance who worked mainly in Venice and was a contemporary of Giovanni Bellini and Cima da Conegliano.
Specifically, it has been noted that after Albrecht Dürer’s stay in Venice, Basaiti’s style shifted somewhat towards more complex and dramatic landscapes with less of an emphasis on the figures in the painting.
[2] The latter is thought to be a copy of a painting by Cima da Conegliano which presents yet one more important artistic influence in Marco Basaiti’s life.
Furthermore, in accordance with the style of his proposed masters, Basaiti’s paintings often feature brightly colored clothing and cool skin tones.
[2] As Basaiti continued to mix the styles of Alvise and Bellini his paintings become comparable to Cima da Conegliano.
It was a prosperous decade for Basaiti and included several large commissions such as the high altarpiece at Sant'Andrea della Certosa, the Call of the Sons of Zebedee.
[4] Unlike the portraits which up until now had been his main artistic endeavors, the Calling of the Sons of Zebedee is a narrative painting which requires more complex composition, and features a detailed and expansive landscape.
As seen in the Resurrected Christ and the Blessed Redeemer, while many aspects of Basaiti’s former success remain, the painting features only one main figure.
As Basaiti’s style developed, the light in his pictures became softer and the components of the painting blended more fluidly.
[4] This gradual shift towards softer lines and an emphasis on natural lighting was the popular style developing during this era.
One exception to this trend is the painting The Lamentation which once again demonstrates Basaiti's ability to compose narrative scenes.
The Lamentation blends many of the influences throughout Basaiti's life and exhibits his progress towards more organic lighting and forms.
[4] Some call Basaiti one of the last masters of the early Renaissance and his works demonstrate a refined quattrocento style.
