Raphael and the Beautiful Banker: The Story of the Bindo Altoviti Portrait

Description

Five centuries ago a stunningly beautiful young man with flowing blond locks sat for a portrait by Raphael. In the artist’s dynamic conception, Bindo Altoviti turns as if to speak to his Florentine bride, Fiammetta. Ardently admired over the years, as it is today, Raphael’s portrait was also coolly received by more than one influential critic who cast a shadow on its reputation. This gloriously illustrated book tells the story of the portrait’s creation and of its unexpected trajectory through history. Focusing on viewers’ responses to Bindo Altoviti, the book describes the transformation of the picture from a family treasure into a supposed self-portrait of the artist; its public display in Munich, where first it was celebrated, then dismissed by skeptics claiming that it was neither of nor by Raphael; and its acquisition by canny English dealers who lured the panel out of Nazi Germany. Purchased as a Raphael by American collector Samuel H. Kress, the painting was donated in 1943 to the newly opened National Gallery of Art, where Bindo’s image has beguiled visitors ever since. COVER Contents Acknowledgments Introduction 1 The Beautiful Banker The Patron “When he was Young" “That Sweet Encounter” 2 Raphael’s Face Value Monsignor Bottari Improving on Vasari Missed Opportunities A Portrait Appreciated 3 The Bavarian Buyers Puccini Bavaria and its Royal Collections Dillis The Mission Asylum in Switzerland 4 Facing the Public Italia in Germania The Tooth of Time Shadows and Doubts Salvos from Rome Hanging by Schools 5 Manna from Heaven: The Case of Ingres Raphael: A Users Manual The Young Ingres Rome A Visit to Naples Ingres and the Fornarina Ingres’s Vow: “Raphaelesque and Mine” 6 Whose Face? The Search for Authenticity The Headhunters The Academics The Connoisseurs 7 Trading Places Larkfield, Kent Munich Lucerne: The Swiss Connection London New York Washington Appendices Appendix A Lasting Impressions Appendix B The Cast of Chapter 7 Appendix C Owners of the Portrait Notes Introduction 1 The Beautiful Banker 2 Raphael’s Face Value 3 The Bavarian Buyers 4 Facing the Public 5 Manna from Heaven: The Case of Ingres 6 Whose Face? 7 Trading Places Appendix A Lasting Impressions Appendix B The Cast of Chapter 7 References Photograph Credits Index