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Orazio Gentileschi, an Italian painter born in 1563 in Pisa, is celebrated for his contributions to the Baroque style, particularly after adopting Caravaggio's revolutionary approach. Initially, Gentileschi worked in a Mannerist style but evolved his technique to incorporate Caravaggio's focus on naturalism and dramatic lighting, which significantly influenced his later works.
Orazio Gentileschi's career took him across Italy and eventually to the courts of Paris and London, where he served under Queen Henrietta Maria of England. This period is marked by an elegant and refined style, distinct from his earlier, more naturalistic works. Notable paintings from his English period include "The Finding of Moses" and various ceiling paintings at the Queen's House in Greenwich.
Orazio's influence extended beyond his own artworks; he was part of a family of artists, with his daughter Artemisia Gentileschi also achieving prominence as a Baroque painter. His works continue to be appreciated for their compositional skill and the delicate interplay of light and shadow, reflecting the Baroque era's dramatic intensity and emotional depth.
For those interested in the rich tapestry of Baroque art, Gentileschi's oeuvre offers a fascinating study in the evolution of style from Mannerism to the heightened expressiveness of Caravaggio's naturalism. If you're keen on delving deeper into Orazio Gentileschi's art and legacy, consider subscribing for updates on exhibitions, sales, and scholarly insights into his work and its historical context.
Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia was an Italian painter, working primarily in Siena, becoming a prolific painter and illustrator of manuscripts, including Dante's texts. He was one of the most important painters of the 15th century Sienese School. His early works show the influence of earlier Sienese masters, but his later style was more individual, characterized by cold, harsh colours and elongated forms. His style also took on the influence of International Gothic artists such as Gentile da Fabriano. Many of his works have an unusual dreamlike atmosphere, such as the surrealistic Miracle of St. Nicholas of Tolentino painted about 1455 and now housed in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, while his last works, particularly Last Judgment, Heaven, and Hell from about 1465 and Assumption painted in 1475, both at Pinacoteca Nazionale (Siena), are grotesque treatments of their lofty subjects. Giovanni's reputation declined after his death but was revived in the 20th century.
