Pacini, Benedetta (2019) Navigating the canals : making and moving venetian Renaissance paintings. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis investigates the production and transportation of large-scale paintings on canvas, with a particular focus on Venice in the Renaissance. Since there is no specific literature devoted to the subject, it illustrates the object and the field, using three main research questions. Increasingly, the concept of “mobility” is considered one of the essential factors to a more complete understanding of the historical and physical conditions of artworks, as well as to present them to the public, and preserve them for future generations.

Chapter I investigates the role of guilds involved in packing and transportation of goods. It brings together for the first time what we know of the various relevant corporations from published literature and archival sources. Chapter II considers the Importance of transport during art production, by analysing how much aspects of transportation were taken into account while the artist was conceiving a large-scale painting on canvas. I share observations about the choice of best materials for supports, the best painting ground to be used on canvases about to be rolled up and shipped, as well as the construction of large-scale canvases (which are the result of several lengths of fabric sewn together). Other important issues concern the physical space where the painters used to work, or when and where they collaborated with the other artisans involved in the genesis of the artwork. Chapter III examines packing material, transportation procedures and damage in transit as revealed by documents regarding several Renaissance painters involved with the packing and shipping procedures of their products. This includes the search for patterns in packing stuffs, the most common modes of transport, the risks of transportation, and the responsibilities of the many parties involved. Chapter IV analyses a group of Venetian Renaissance paintings from the National Gallery of London to ascertain whether paintings show any evidence of damage caused by transport. I focus in particular on the transit of the paintings prior to their arrival at the Gallery, their handling and transportation history, as well as the damage incurred in transit which, in some cases, is still visible today beneath the surface. The final part of the thesis contains an appendix of conversations with restorers, and a database of the National Gallery paintings that I selected as my case studies.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > DG Italy H Social Sciences > HE Transportation and Communications H Social Sciences > HF Commerce N Fine Arts > ND Painting
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Painting, Renaissance -- Italy, Art, Renaissance -- Italy, Shipment of goods -- Italy -- History -- 16th century, Packing for shipment
Official Date:	December 2019
Dates:	Date Event December 2019 UNSPECIFIED
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of History of Art
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Bourdua, Louise, 1962- ; Tagliaferro, Giorgio ; Wivel, Matthias, 1975- ; Foister, Susan, 1954-
Sponsors:	Arts & Humanities Research Council (Great Britain) ; University of Warwick ; Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation
Format of File:	pdf
Extent:	282 leaves in various foliations : illustrations (some colour)
Language:	eng

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