Federico Barocci: Renaissance Master of Color and Line

Book accompanies a major exhibition of the Italian artist Federico Barocci (1535–1612). This catalog reasserts Barocci’s significance as a bridge between High Renaissance and Baroque art, highlighting his mastery of color, emotional depth, and innovative drawing techniques.

The book features essays by leading scholars, including Mann on Barocci’s career, Stuart Lingo on his workshop dynamics, and Babette Bohn on his preparatory drawings, alongside contributions on his religious and secular works. It showcases over 60 paintings and 100 drawings, such as The Madonna of the Cat and The Entombment, emphasizing his use of vibrant colors, soft modeling, and expressive compositions influenced by Correggio and Raphael. Barocci’s meticulous process, involving numerous preparatory sketches, is detailed, reflecting his focus on emotional resonance over Mannerist complexity.

The catalog explores his life in Urbino, his patronage by the della Rovere family, and his impact on later artists like Caravaggio and Rubens. It includes technical analyses, provenance details, and high-quality illustrations, positioning Barocci as a key figure whose sensitivity and technique shaped Renaissance art’s evolution into the Baroque era.