Pietro da Cortona (1596 - 1669)

Pietro da Cortona (1596 - 1669) - photo 1

Pietro da Cortona

Pietro da Cortona, born as Pietro Berrettini, was an eminent figure in the Italian Baroque movement. His multi-faceted genius encompassed painting, architecture, and design, earning him a reputation second only to Bernini in the Roman Baroque style. Cortona's journey in art commenced in Rome around 1612, where his talents flourished under the patronage of influential families like the Barberini​​​​.

Pietro da Cortona's masterful frescoes in the church of S. Bibiana, commissioned by Urban VIII, set the tone for his illustrious career. His most iconic work, the colossal fresco "Allegory of Divine Providence and Barberini Power" in the Gran Salone of the Palazzo Barberini, epitomizes his skill in creating grandiose, illusionistic art. This piece, commenced in 1633 and completed in 1639, is a testament to his belief in the epic scale of history painting, a view he defended in a notable debate with Andrea Sacchi​​​​.

In 1637, Pietro da Cortona's artistic journey took him to Florence at the behest of Ferdinand II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. Here, in the Palazzo Pitti, he created frescoes for the Planetary Rooms, combining allegorical themes with lush stucco work, significantly influencing the Italian and French decorative arts​​​​.

Pietro da Cortona's contributions to architecture were equally significant. His architectural masterpiece, the church of SS. Martina e Luca in Rome, exemplifies his ability to create grand structures with a unified Baroque vision. His architectural prowess, though less correlated with his painting style, made a lasting impact through its emphasis on form rather than ornament​​.

For art collectors and enthusiasts, Pietro da Cortona's works offer a rich tapestry of Baroque artistry, blending grandeur, realism, and allegory. His frescoes, paintings, and architectural designs continue to captivate audiences, symbolizing the opulence and dynamism of the Baroque era.

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Date and place of birt:1 november 1596, Cortona, Italy
Date and place of death:16 may 1669, Rome, Italy
Nationality:Italy
Period of activity: XVII century
Specialization:Architect, Artist, Painter
Genre:Allegory, History painting, Mythological painting, Religious genre
Art style:Baroque, Old Masters

Creators Italy

Enrico Paulucci (1901 - 1999)
Enrico Paulucci
1901 - 1999
Baldassare Franceschini (Il Volterrano) (1611 - 1689)
Baldassare Franceschini (Il Volterrano)
1611 - 1689
Alberto Gianquinto (1929 - 2003)
Alberto Gianquinto
1929 - 2003
Francesco Vanni (1563 - 1610)
Francesco Vanni
1563 - 1610
Alessandro Maffei (1790 - 1859)
Alessandro Maffei
1790 - 1859
Paul Troger (1698 - 1762)
Paul Troger
1698 - 1762
Vincenzo Agnetti (1926 - 1981)
Vincenzo Agnetti
1926 - 1981
Giulio Bonasone (1498 - 1574)
Giulio Bonasone
1498 - 1574
Teresa Del Pò (1649 - 1716)
Teresa Del Pò
1649 - 1716
Walter Depas (? - ?)
Walter Depas
? - ?
Cristoforo Munari (1667 - 1720)
Cristoforo Munari
1667 - 1720
Renato Pengo (1943)
Renato Pengo
1943
Girolamo da Carpi (1501 - 1556)
Girolamo da Carpi
1501 - 1556
Bruno Saetti (1902 - 1984)
Bruno Saetti
1902 - 1984
John Francis Rigaud (1742 - 1810)
John Francis Rigaud
1742 - 1810
Giovanni Battista Galestruzzi (1618 - 1677)
Giovanni Battista Galestruzzi
1618 - 1677

Creators Baroque

Johann Gottfried Auerbach (1697 - 1753)
Johann Gottfried Auerbach
1697 - 1753
Pieter van der Werff (1665 - 1722)
Pieter van der Werff
1665 - 1722
Ignatius Josephus van Regemorter (1785 - 1873)
Ignatius Josephus van Regemorter
1785 - 1873
Nikolaus Knüpfer (1609 - 1655)
Nikolaus Knüpfer
1609 - 1655
Francis Sartorius I (1734 - 1804)
Francis Sartorius I
1734 - 1804
Matthias Wallbaum (1554 - 1632)
Matthias Wallbaum
1554 - 1632
Elias Gottlob Haussmann (1695 - 1774)
Elias Gottlob Haussmann
1695 - 1774
Frans van Mieris (1635 - 1681)
Frans van Mieris
1635 - 1681
Godfrey Kneller (1646 - 1723)
Godfrey Kneller
1646 - 1723
Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475 - 1564)
Michelangelo Buonarroti
1475 - 1564
Andreas Christian Julius Giem (1769 - 1863)
Andreas Christian Julius Giem
1769 - 1863
Giulio Campi (1502 - 1572)
Giulio Campi
1502 - 1572
Abraham Danielsz. Hondius (1625 - 1691)
Abraham Danielsz. Hondius
1625 - 1691
Giovanni Battista Franco (1510 - 1561)
Giovanni Battista Franco
1510 - 1561
Antoine Ranc (1634 - 1716)
Antoine Ranc
1634 - 1716
Pierre-Etienne Monnot (1657 - 1733)
Pierre-Etienne Monnot
1657 - 1733
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