martino altomonte (1657 - 1745)
Martino Altomonte, born Johann Martin Hohenberg, was an Italian Baroque painter renowned for his artistic endeavors across Poland and Austria. With his roots in a family of artists, Altomonte honed his craft under the tutelage of Giovanni Battista Gaulli and Carlo Maratta in Rome, before making a significant name change and cultural shift to become a court painter in Poland under King John III Sobieski.
Martino Altomonte's oeuvre is marked by a vibrant blend of Neapolitan chiaroscuro and Venetian color, elements that distinguished his style from his contemporaries. This unique combination is particularly evident in his altarpieces and frescoes, which include major works like the ceiling frescoes in Vienna's Lower Belvedere and the high altarpiece at the Stiftskirche Wilhering. Despite the loss of many of his altarpieces, some key pieces survive, offering a glimpse into his dramatic yet harmonious approach.
Throughout his career, Martino Altomonte was deeply involved in the Viennese art scene, his works contributing significantly to the development of Baroque painting in the region. His legacy is continued by his son, Bartolomeo Altomonte, who also became a noted painter. Martino Altomonte's impact on Baroque painting, with his mastery of light and shadow, makes his work a continued point of study and appreciation among art collectors and historians.
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