Chiaroscuro (comics)
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| Chiaroscuro: The Private Lives of Leonardo da Vinci |
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 Chiaroscuro trade paperback cover |
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| Publisher | Vertigo |
|---|---|
| Format | Limited series |
| Publication date | 1995-1996 |
| Number of issues | 10 |
| Main character(s) | Leonardo da Vinci, Salai |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Pat McGreal & David Rawson |
| Penciller(s) | Chaz Truog |
| Inker(s) | Rafael Kayanan |
| Colorist(s) | Carla Feeny & Lovern Kindziersky |
| Collected editions | |
| Chiaroscuro: The Private Lives of Leonardo da Vinci.' | ISBN 1-4012-0498-8 |
Chiaroscuro: The Private Lives of Leonardo da Vinci is a Vertigo comic book limited series published from 1995 to 1996, which was later repackaged in 2005 as a single volume. The series was written by Pat McGreal and David Rawson and illustrated by Chaz Truog and Rafael Kayanan. The original series covers were done by Stephen John Philips and Richard Bruning.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
A work of historical fiction, Chiaroscuro narrates the life of Leonardo da Vinci from the point of view of Gian Giacomo Caprotti da Oreno (almost exclusively called Salai in the story), a beautiful young man Leonardo adopted as a boy. It shows the influence of their relationship on Leonardo's life and work. In characterizing Salai as scheming, ambitious and selfish, the novel posits that several events in Leonardos's life occurred at least partly because of his manipulations.
The work also speculates a possible homosexual relationship between Leonardo and Salai. Salai is clearly depicted to have had homosexual relations with Leonardo's main rival, Michelangelo and Ludovico Sforza's captain, Sanseverino while anything occurring between him and Leonardo is simply implied. It is clear, however, that Leonardo used him as a model for his artwork. The relationship between Salai and Leonardo is often tumultuous, culminating with Salai betraying Leonardo by serving as the model for Michelangelo's David. (Mc Greal & Rawson, 2005)
[edit] Inspiration
- Chaz Truog's official website mentions that Chiaroscuro was inspired by Amadeus and Immortal Beloved.[1]
[edit] Name
The word chiaroscuro used in the title refers to the use of light and shadow to depic form in art (Mc Greal & Rawson, 2005). The use of this technique was pioneered by da Vinci.
[edit] Works of Art
The following works by da Vinci were also depicted in the story:
- Mona Lisa
- The Last Supper
- St John the Baptist
- Vitruvian Man
- The Battle of Anghiari
- several vignettes and images from his notebooks, diaries and sketches
[edit] Awards
Chiaroscuro was nominated for the Eisner Award in 1996 for Best Limited Series.[1]
[edit] Publication
Chiarocuro was originally published in serial form from 1995 to 1996 before being collected as a trade paperback in 2005.
[edit] Collected editions
- Chiaroscuro: The Private Lives of Leonardo da Vinci (trade paperback collects issues 1-10, October 2005, ISBN 1-4012-0498-8)
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Chiaroscuro
[edit] References
- Chiaroscuro at the Big Comic Book DataBase
- Chiaroscuro at the Grand Comic-Book Database
- Chiaroscuro at the Comic Book DB
