Francesco Fernandi
Encyclopedia
Francesco Fernandi also known as Imperiali, was an Italian
painter of the late-Baroque
or Rococo
period.
Born in Milan, he initially apprenticed with the painter for the Borromeo
family, Carlo Vimercati. After a spell in Palermo, of which little is known, he moved to Rome sometime around 1705. There he joined projects of the large studio of painters working with Carlo Maratta
. He was patronized in Rome by the Cardinal Giuseppe Renato Imperiali, from whom he acquired the last name Imperiali. We know little of his works for the Vatican and the Ottoboni family.
In Rome, he gained an independent studio, and was apparently popular with visiting British painters, having mentored Allan Ramsay, WIlliam Hoare
, Alexander Clerk, William Mosman, and James Russell. Among his Italian pupils is the little-known, Camillo Paderni and the more prominent Pompeo Batoni
.
In August 1723, he apparently backed the litigation and lobbying by the academic outsiders (non-members of the Accademia di San Luca
in Rome) like Michelangelo Cerruti
, who sought to liberalize the control over artistic production held by the Academy. He himself was appointed along with his friend, Agostino Masucci
to the Academy in 1723.
He appears to have mastered painting a diversity of themes and styles, and is described by his biographer Niccolò Pio as having worked in:
He painted a large altarpiece for the church of Sant'Eustachio
in Rome in 1720–1724.
He also painted the two canvases flanking the altarpiece (Martyrdom and Decapitation of the name saints, in the chapel of Saints Valentine and Hilary in the cathedral of Viterbo
. He painted an altarpiece (c. 1730) for the church of San Francesco in Gubbio
and a Death of San Romualdo for San Gregorio al Celio in Rome. A Madonana and child of the Rosary with Saints Jerome, Domenic & Francis (c. 1732) in Sant'Andrea in Vetralla
, near Viterbo
, is attributed to Imperiali.
In 1735, Filippo Juvarra
requested eight large canvases depicting allegorical virtues of ruler for the throne room in the royal palace of La Granja in Spain
. He commissioned paintings from Solimena
, Lemoyne
, Trevisani
, Costanzi
, Masucci
, Pittoni
, Creti
and Parodi. Two of the painters had to be replaced. Lemoyne died and was replaced by Carle Vanloo; while Parodi's fees were too costly, and Imperiali was instead awarded the commission for Liberality or Alexander rewarding his officers. Imperiali died in Rome.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
painter of the late-Baroque
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...
or Rococo
Rococo
Rococo , also referred to as "Late Baroque", is an 18th-century style which developed as Baroque artists gave up their symmetry and became increasingly ornate, florid, and playful...
period.
Born in Milan, he initially apprenticed with the painter for the Borromeo
Borromeo
-Members of the House of Borromeo:* Andrea Borromeo, a Theatine priest* Charles Borromeo , cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church* Federico Borromeo , archbishop of Milan, cousin of Charles-Other people:...
family, Carlo Vimercati. After a spell in Palermo, of which little is known, he moved to Rome sometime around 1705. There he joined projects of the large studio of painters working with Carlo Maratta
Carlo Maratta
Carlo Maratta or Maratti was an Italian painter, active mostly in Rome, and known principally for his classicizing paintings executed in a Late Baroque Classical manner. Although he is part of the classical tradition stemming from Raphael, he was not exempt from the influence of Baroque painting...
. He was patronized in Rome by the Cardinal Giuseppe Renato Imperiali, from whom he acquired the last name Imperiali. We know little of his works for the Vatican and the Ottoboni family.
In Rome, he gained an independent studio, and was apparently popular with visiting British painters, having mentored Allan Ramsay, WIlliam Hoare
William Hoare
William Hoare of Bath RA was an English painter and printmaker, co-founder of the Royal Academy noted for his pastels....
, Alexander Clerk, William Mosman, and James Russell. Among his Italian pupils is the little-known, Camillo Paderni and the more prominent Pompeo Batoni
Pompeo Batoni
Pompeo Girolamo Batoni was an Italian painter whose style incorporated elements of the French Rococo, Bolognese classicism, and nascent Neoclassicism.-Biography:He was born in Lucca, the son of a goldsmith, Paolino Batoni...
.
In August 1723, he apparently backed the litigation and lobbying by the academic outsiders (non-members of the Accademia di San Luca
Accademia di San Luca
The Accademia di San Luca, was founded in 1577 as an association of artists in Rome, under the directorship of Federico Zuccari, with the purpose of elevating the work of "artists", which included painters, sculptors and architects, above that of mere craftsmen. Other founders included Girolamo...
in Rome) like Michelangelo Cerruti
Michelangelo Cerruti
Michelangelo Cerruti was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, active mainly in Rome.At a young age, he was a pupil of Giuseppe Passeri in Rome and afterwards lived for a decade in northern Italy, especially in Turin. After returning to Rome he worked with Andrea Pozzo, and became an expert...
, who sought to liberalize the control over artistic production held by the Academy. He himself was appointed along with his friend, Agostino Masucci
Agostino Masucci
Agostino Masucci was an Italian painter of the late-Baroque or Rococo period.Born in Rome, he initially apprenticed with Andrea Procaccino, and then became a member of the studio of Carlo Maratta. He joined the Accademia di San Luca in 1724, and from 1736 to 1738, he was director or Principe...
to the Academy in 1723.
He appears to have mastered painting a diversity of themes and styles, and is described by his biographer Niccolò Pio as having worked in:
- all kinds of the natural things, to perfection, and with diligence, and without academicism, (he paints) all kinds of Animals, and Fish both plural and singular, likewise fruits, Flowers, Cristalware, gold and silver goblets, tapestries, vistas, and landscapes ... Historical paintings and anything else that falls into his hands....
He painted a large altarpiece for the church of Sant'Eustachio
Sant'Eustachio
Sant'Eustachio is a Roman Catholic titular church in Rome, named for the martyr Saint Eustace.-History:The church was founded in the 8th century, or possibly even earlier . The church was recorded as a diaconia at the end of the pontificate of Pope Gregory II...
in Rome in 1720–1724.
He also painted the two canvases flanking the altarpiece (Martyrdom and Decapitation of the name saints, in the chapel of Saints Valentine and Hilary in the cathedral of Viterbo
Viterbo
See also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
. He painted an altarpiece (c. 1730) for the church of San Francesco in Gubbio
Gubbio
Gubbio is a town and comune in the far northeastern part of the Italian province of Perugia . It is located on the lowest slope of Mt. Ingino, a small mountain of the Apennines. See also Mount Ingino Christmas Tree.-History:...
and a Death of San Romualdo for San Gregorio al Celio in Rome. A Madonana and child of the Rosary with Saints Jerome, Domenic & Francis (c. 1732) in Sant'Andrea in Vetralla
Vetralla
Vetralla is a town and comune in the Province of Viterbo, in central Italy, 11 km to the south of that city, located on a shoulder of Monte Fogliano.-History:...
, near Viterbo
Viterbo
See also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
, is attributed to Imperiali.
In 1735, Filippo Juvarra
Filippo Juvarra
Filippo Juvarra was an Italian architect and stage set designer.-Biography:Filippo Juvarra was an Italian Baroque architect working in the early part of the eighteenth century. He was born in Messina, Sicily, to a family of goldsmiths and engravers...
requested eight large canvases depicting allegorical virtues of ruler for the throne room in the royal palace of La Granja in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. He commissioned paintings from Solimena
Francesco Solimena
Francesco Solimena was a prolific Italian painter of the Baroque era, one of an established family of painters and draughtsmen.-Biography:Francesco Solimena was born in Canale di Serino, near Avellino....
, Lemoyne
François Lemoyne
François Lemoyne or François Le Moine was a French rococo painter.He was born in Paris. In 1701, when he was 13 years old, he entered the Académie de peinture et de sculpture. He studied under Louis Galloche and stayed until 1713. In 1711, Lemoyne won the Prix de Rome...
, Trevisani
Francesco Trevisani
thumb|250px|Portrait of [[Pietro Ottoboni |Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni]] by Francesco Trevisani. The [[Bowes Museum]], [[Barnard Castle]], [[County Durham]], [[England]]....
, Costanzi
Placido Costanzi
Placido Costanzi was an Italian painter of the late-Baroque period.He was born to a family of gem-makers in Rome, where he became a pupil of Benedetto Luti and painted mainly historical and devotional subjects. He painted a St. Camillus in Santa Maria Maddalena, in which he has aspired to the...
, Masucci
Agostino Masucci
Agostino Masucci was an Italian painter of the late-Baroque or Rococo period.Born in Rome, he initially apprenticed with Andrea Procaccino, and then became a member of the studio of Carlo Maratta. He joined the Accademia di San Luca in 1724, and from 1736 to 1738, he was director or Principe...
, Pittoni
Giambattista Pittoni
Giambattista Pittoni was an Italian painter of the late-Baroque or Rococo period, active mainly in his native Venice....
, Creti
Donato Creti
Donato Creti was an Italian painter of the Rococo period, active mostly in Bologna.Born in Cremona, he moved to Bologna, where he was a pupil of Lorenzo Pasinelli. He is described by Wittkower as the "Bolognese Marco Benefial", in that his style was less decorative and edged into a more formal...
and Parodi. Two of the painters had to be replaced. Lemoyne died and was replaced by Carle Vanloo; while Parodi's fees were too costly, and Imperiali was instead awarded the commission for Liberality or Alexander rewarding his officers. Imperiali died in Rome.