Antonio Verrio
Encyclopedia
The Italian-born Antonio Verrio (c1636 – 15 June 1707) was responsible for introducing Baroque
mural painting into England
and served the Crown over a thirty year period.
or Naples
, started his career in Lecce and was a pupil of Giovanni Andrea Coppola (1597–1659). Several works by Verrio still exist in the Apulian city, including S. Francesco Savario appare al Beato Marcello Mastrilli – his first known signed work.
Around 1665, Verrio moved to the region of Toulouse where he was commissioned to decorate the Château Bonrepos, the property of Pierre-Paul Riquet
, promoter of the Canal du Midi. He then settled in Toulouse itself where he worked for the Carmes Déchaussées and the Capucins. Today two of his paintings, Le Mariage de la Vierge et Saint-Félix de Cantalice, are in the collection of the Musée des Augustins
there. Around 1670, Verrio moved to Paris where he developed an aristocratic clientele and decorated three private houses including the hotel Brûlart – the only one that still exists today (in private hands).
In March 1672, Verrio crossed the Channel on the recommendation of Ralph Montagu, who had been English Ambassador Extraodinary in Paris since 1669. Thanks to Montagu, Verrio made his English debut working for aristocrats such as the 1st Earl of Arlington (Euston Hall and Arlington House, now destroyed) and the 1st Duke of Lauderdale (Ham House, now a property of The National Trust), and rapidly acquired the royal patronage of Charles II
. By 1675, Verrio had painted the exquisite allegorical portrait of the king known as The Sea Triumph of Charles II, and was ‘denizened’ on the 5 May of that year. Soon afterwards he was engaged to decorate the North Range of Windsor Castle
, where he collaborated with the architect Hugh May
and the sculptor Grinling Gibbons
. This was the most important commission of his entire career: twenty ceilings, three staircases, the King’s Chapel and St George’s Hall for which he was paid the colossal sum of £10195 8s 4d. On its completion, in 1684, Verrio was appointed ‘Chief and first painter’. Only three ceilings have survived the redecoration of the castle commissioned by George IV during the 1820s. On the succession of James II
, Verrio continued his royal service and decorated Whitehall Palace (burnt in 1698) and Henry VIII’s Chapel at Windsor (destroyed). In March 1685, he was also appointed ‘Keeper of the Great Garden in St James’s Park’. At the Glorious Revolution, Verrio did not receive any further royal protection from William III
and had to leave the court. Verrio, who had worked for the nobility while he was employed by Charles and James, returned to his aristocratic clientele. He spent the next decade at Burghley House
, the property of the 5th Earl of Exeter, and Chatsworth
, the property of the 4th Earl of Devonshire. Both are very fine examples of English Baroque decoration, and Burghley contains Verrio’s masterpiece, the Heaven Room. By 1699, William finally overrode the Test Act and invited Verrio back to court. After having worked at Windsor again, Verrio undertook the decoration of Hampton Court Palace
for William. At his death, in 1702, Verrio continued his royal service and painted for Queen Anne his last royal commission in the Queen’s Drawing Room. In 1705, Verrio was granted by the queen an annual pension of £200 and allowed to keep his lodgings at Hampton Court. Before his death, on 15 June 1707, Verrio painted a series of portraits including his self-portrait, now in the National Portrait Gallery. Verrio influenced younger artists such as Louis Laguerre
and James Thornhill
, and his Hampton Court Palace frescoes (now under the care of Historic Royal Palaces
) constitute a priceless legacy.
Verrio's surviving decorative work in England can be seen at Burghley House
, Chatsworth
, Reigate Priory, Chelsea Hospital, Christ's Hospital
, Ham House, Hampton Court Palace
, Moor Park
, Powis Castle
, Snape Castle (although in very bad condition) and Windsor Castle
. He also painted the grand buttox in Buckingham Palace
. Some of his paintings, sketches and drawings belong to various collections including The British Museum
, The Fitzwilliam Museum
, Cambridge, The National Portrait Gallery, Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, The Royal Collection and The Victoria and Albert Museum
.
Antonio Verrio and the Royal image at Hampton Court, British Art Journal, Volume X No. 3, Winter/Spring 2009/10, Special 10th Anniversary Double Issue
Antonio Verrio, Chroniques d'un peintre italien voyageur, Musée des Augustins et Mairie de Toulouse, 2010. Catalogue of the exhibition on the artist at the Musée des Augustins, Toulouse, 27 March - 27 June 2010
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
mural painting into England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and served the Crown over a thirty year period.
Career
Verrio, born either in LecceLecce
Lecce is a historic city of 95,200 inhabitants in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Lecce, the second province in the region by population, as well as one of the most important cities of Puglia...
or Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, started his career in Lecce and was a pupil of Giovanni Andrea Coppola (1597–1659). Several works by Verrio still exist in the Apulian city, including S. Francesco Savario appare al Beato Marcello Mastrilli – his first known signed work.
Around 1665, Verrio moved to the region of Toulouse where he was commissioned to decorate the Château Bonrepos, the property of Pierre-Paul Riquet
Pierre-Paul Riquet
Pierre-Paul Riquet was the engineer and canal-builder responsible for the construction of the Canal du Midi.-Background:...
, promoter of the Canal du Midi. He then settled in Toulouse itself where he worked for the Carmes Déchaussées and the Capucins. Today two of his paintings, Le Mariage de la Vierge et Saint-Félix de Cantalice, are in the collection of the Musée des Augustins
Musée des Augustins
The Musée des Augustins de Toulouse is a fine arts museum in Toulouse, France which conserves a collection of sculpture and paintings from the Middle Ages to the early twentieth century...
there. Around 1670, Verrio moved to Paris where he developed an aristocratic clientele and decorated three private houses including the hotel Brûlart – the only one that still exists today (in private hands).
In March 1672, Verrio crossed the Channel on the recommendation of Ralph Montagu, who had been English Ambassador Extraodinary in Paris since 1669. Thanks to Montagu, Verrio made his English debut working for aristocrats such as the 1st Earl of Arlington (Euston Hall and Arlington House, now destroyed) and the 1st Duke of Lauderdale (Ham House, now a property of The National Trust), and rapidly acquired the royal patronage of Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
. By 1675, Verrio had painted the exquisite allegorical portrait of the king known as The Sea Triumph of Charles II, and was ‘denizened’ on the 5 May of that year. Soon afterwards he was engaged to decorate the North Range of Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
, where he collaborated with the architect Hugh May
Hugh May
Hugh May was an English architect in the period after the Restoration of King Charles II. He worked in the era which fell between the first introduction of Palladianism into England by Inigo Jones, and the full flowering of English Baroque under John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor. His own work...
and the sculptor Grinling Gibbons
Grinling Gibbons
Grinling Gibbons was an English sculptor and wood carver known for his work in England, including St Paul's Cathedral, Blenheim Palace and Hampton Court Palace. He was born and educated in Holland where his father was a merchant...
. This was the most important commission of his entire career: twenty ceilings, three staircases, the King’s Chapel and St George’s Hall for which he was paid the colossal sum of £10195 8s 4d. On its completion, in 1684, Verrio was appointed ‘Chief and first painter’. Only three ceilings have survived the redecoration of the castle commissioned by George IV during the 1820s. On the succession of James II
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
, Verrio continued his royal service and decorated Whitehall Palace (burnt in 1698) and Henry VIII’s Chapel at Windsor (destroyed). In March 1685, he was also appointed ‘Keeper of the Great Garden in St James’s Park’. At the Glorious Revolution, Verrio did not receive any further royal protection from William III
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
and had to leave the court. Verrio, who had worked for the nobility while he was employed by Charles and James, returned to his aristocratic clientele. He spent the next decade at Burghley House
Burghley House
Burghley House is a grand 16th-century country house near the town of Stamford, Lincolnshire, England...
, the property of the 5th Earl of Exeter, and Chatsworth
Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House is a stately home in North Derbyshire, England, northeast of Bakewell and west of Chesterfield . It is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, and has been home to his family, the Cavendish family, since Bess of Hardwick settled at Chatsworth in 1549.Standing on the east bank of the...
, the property of the 4th Earl of Devonshire. Both are very fine examples of English Baroque decoration, and Burghley contains Verrio’s masterpiece, the Heaven Room. By 1699, William finally overrode the Test Act and invited Verrio back to court. After having worked at Windsor again, Verrio undertook the decoration of Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London; it has not been inhabited by the British royal family since the 18th century. The palace is located south west of Charing Cross and upstream of Central London on the River Thames...
for William. At his death, in 1702, Verrio continued his royal service and painted for Queen Anne his last royal commission in the Queen’s Drawing Room. In 1705, Verrio was granted by the queen an annual pension of £200 and allowed to keep his lodgings at Hampton Court. Before his death, on 15 June 1707, Verrio painted a series of portraits including his self-portrait, now in the National Portrait Gallery. Verrio influenced younger artists such as Louis Laguerre
Louis Laguerre
Louis Laguerre , was a French decorative painter mainly working in England.Born in Versailles in 1663 and trained at the Paris Academy under Charles Le Brun, he came to England in 1683, where he first worked with Antonio Verrio, and then on his own...
and James Thornhill
James Thornhill
Sir James Thornhill was an English painter of historical subjects, in the Italian baroque tradition.-Life:...
, and his Hampton Court Palace frescoes (now under the care of Historic Royal Palaces
Historic Royal Palaces
Historic Royal Palaces is an independent charity created in 1998 to manage Britain's unoccupied royal palaces. These are:* The Tower of London* Hampton Court Palace* Kensington Palace - the state rooms only.* Banqueting House* Kew Palace...
) constitute a priceless legacy.
Verrio's work
Burghley House
Burghley House is a grand 16th-century country house near the town of Stamford, Lincolnshire, England...
, Chatsworth
Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House is a stately home in North Derbyshire, England, northeast of Bakewell and west of Chesterfield . It is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, and has been home to his family, the Cavendish family, since Bess of Hardwick settled at Chatsworth in 1549.Standing on the east bank of the...
, Reigate Priory, Chelsea Hospital, Christ's Hospital
Christ's Hospital
Christ's Hospital is an English coeducational independent day and boarding school with Royal Charter located in the Sussex countryside just south of Horsham in Horsham District, West Sussex, England...
, Ham House, Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London; it has not been inhabited by the British royal family since the 18th century. The palace is located south west of Charing Cross and upstream of Central London on the River Thames...
, Moor Park
Moor Park
Moor Park may refer to:* Moor Park, Blackpool, England* Moor Park, Crosby, England* Moor Park, Preston, England* Moor Park, Hertfordshire, England** Moor Park , the origin of the Moorpark apricot** Moor Park tube station, a commuter rail station...
, Powis Castle
Powis Castle
Powis Castle is a medieval castle, fortress and grand country mansion located near the town of Welshpool, in Powys, Mid Wales.The residence of the Earl of Powis, the castle is known for its extensive, attractive formal gardens, terraces, parkland, deerpark and landscaped estate...
, Snape Castle (although in very bad condition) and Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
. He also painted the grand buttox in Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
. Some of his paintings, sketches and drawings belong to various collections including The British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
, The Fitzwilliam Museum
Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum is the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge, located on Trumpington Street opposite Fitzwilliam Street in central Cambridge, England. It receives around 300,000 visitors annually. Admission is free....
, Cambridge, The National Portrait Gallery, Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, The Royal Collection and The Victoria and Albert Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum , set in the Brompton district of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, England, is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects...
.
Further reading
Antonio Verrio, His Career and surviving work, British Art Journal, Volume X No. 3, Winter/Spring 2009/10, Special 10th Anniversary Double IssueAntonio Verrio and the Royal image at Hampton Court, British Art Journal, Volume X No. 3, Winter/Spring 2009/10, Special 10th Anniversary Double Issue
Antonio Verrio, Chroniques d'un peintre italien voyageur, Musée des Augustins et Mairie de Toulouse, 2010. Catalogue of the exhibition on the artist at the Musée des Augustins, Toulouse, 27 March - 27 June 2010