DALLE MASEGNE, JACOBELLO AND PIETROPAOLO. - Venetian sculptors and architects, brothers, also called "da Venezia". Of Pietropaolo, as private notices, it is known that he made his will in 1403; of Jacobello, that after his return to Bologna (1408) all trace of him is lost in 1409. They worked in Venice, Mantua, Milan, Pavia and Bologna. Despite their constant collaboration, the individual stylistic differences in their works are rather clear.

Works of Pietropaolo: tomb monument of Giovanni da Legnano in Bologna (1386); tomb monument of Margherita Malatesta, in Mantua (1399); large window in the south facade of the Doge's Palace and tomb monument to Doge Venier in SS. Giovanni e Paolo (1400).

Works of Jacobello: Iconostasis of the basilica of S. Marco in Venice (1392-94); design for the facade of the cathedral of Mantua (1396).

Activities common to both: commission for the altar of S. Francesco in Bologna, executed by Pietropaolo alone (1388); construction of the cathedral of Milan (1399).

Although starting from a common formation falling within the Venetian plastic tradition, in which Oriental elements and Northern and Tuscan influences (Nino Pisano) converged, the works of Pietropaolo are distinguished by a lesser rigidity of workmanship, a delicate transition of planes, and an ample study of elegantly rhythmical drapery. Jacobello's sculpture, on the other hand, is characterized by a more acute and profound stylization, by a more energetic and sometimes angular movement, by a contained force far removed from any decorative allurement.

The incisive and multiform sculpture of the D. M. played a great part in the development of Emilian plastic art of the late fourteenth century.

Paolo, son of Jacobello, was also a sculptor; to him is due the tomb monument of Jacopo Cavalli in the Church of SS. Giovanni e Paolo in Venice.

Bibliography7 works

BIBL.: J. B. Supino, Le pala d'altare di J. e P. P. D. M., nella chiesa di S. Francesco di Bologna, in Atti e mem. dell'Accad. delle scienze dell'istit. di Bologna, 9 (1914-15); P. L. Rambaldi, Nuovi appunti sui maestri J. e P. P. da Venezia, in Venezia, 1 (1920), pp. 63-88; R. Krautheimer, Zur venez. Trecentoplastik, in Marburger Jahrbuch für Kunstwissenschaft, 5 (1920), pp. 193-212; L. Planisig, s. v. in Thieme-Becker, XXIV, pp. 200-203; S. Bettini, L'ultima e la più bella opera di P. P. d. M., in Dedalo, 12 (1932), pp. 347-59; G. Gnudi, J. e P. P. da Venezia, in La critica d'arte, 7 (1937), pp. 26-38; C. Baroni, Scultura gotica lombarda, Milano 1944. (second index).

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Dalle Masegne, Jacobello and Pietropaolo

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