Artibus et Historiae no. 20 (X)

1989, ISSN 0391-9064

Up
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Buy article pdf

MARCEL G. ROETHLISBERGER - The Dimension of Time in the Art of Claude Lorrain

The article starts with a discussion of Claude's recently discovered painting on copper, Dance of Apollo and the Seasons to the Music of Time of 1662, in terms of its form and allegorical content, the borrowing of the figures from a woodcut in Cartari, the meanings of the Horae, and the connection with Philostratus. The painting embodies the passing of time in its motifs of landscape, figures, and buildings, as well as in its theme. To extend this notion to the entire output of Claude, the representation of revolving time appears to be the key theme of the artist. This is demonstrated by means of a survey of landscape elements and literary subjects throughout his oeuvre, including selected detailed examples, and by a comparison with other artists.

The concept of the flux of time is then viewed within the following contexts: the current ongoing probe into the iconography of landscape; the numerous Baroque themes involving time; the principle of cyclic change expressed in the last book of Ovid's Metamorphoses; and the personal meanings which Claude's paintings had for their patrons (with examples). Finally, there is a sampling of contemporary mottos referring to landscape, in particular by Menestrier, as a further line of investigation into multiple meanings in landscape painting.