Andrea as a Faultless Painter
Andrea del Sarto is a notable literary work by Robert Browning. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Andrea del Sarto.
Answer
Describe Andrea as a faultless painter.
“Andrea del Sarto” (1855) is an iconic poem by Robert Browning (1812-89). Andrea del Sarto is known as the “faultless painter” because of his exceptional technical skills. He can paint with perfect accuracy. However, despite this perfection, Andrea feels something is missing in his art compared to other great painters like Michelangelo and Raphael. Let’s explore the reasons why Andrea is considered a faultless painter.
Perfect Technique: Andrea takes great pride in his ability to paint perfectly without any mistakes. In the poem, he proudly declares that he can create artwork without needing preliminary sketches. This exceptional skill earns him the title “The Faultless Painter,” He confidently says,
I can do with my pencil what I know,
What I see,
This shows how Andrea is proud of his flawless technique. He believes he can achieve whatever he imagines in his mind.
Lack of Emotional Depth: Despite his technical perfection, Andrea acknowledges that his paintings lack emotional and spiritual depth. Unlike his contemporaries, Michelangelo and Raphael, Andrea’s work does not convey the same spiritual or emotional power. He says,
A man’s reach should exceed his grasp,
Or what’s a heaven for?
Here, Andrea admits that his paintings do not have the same inspiring quality as those of Michelangelo or Raphael.
Influence of Personal Life: Andrea’s personal life greatly influences his art. His wife, Lucrezia, is a significant distraction. She drew his attention away from his work. Andrea spends much of his energy trying to please her and fulfill her demands. This prevents him from fully dedicating himself to his art. Additionally, his financial struggles and the need to support his wife force him to prioritize making money over pursuing artistic greatness.
In conclusion, Andrea del Sarto is a “faultless painter” in terms of technique, but his lack of inspiration and personal regrets prevent him from achieving true artistic greatness. His story significantly reflects on the limitations of technical perfection without emotional and spiritual depth.