Giovanni Baglione
Encyclopedia
Giovanni Baglione was an Italian Late Mannerist
and Early Baroque
painter and art historian. He is best remembered for his acrimonious involvement with the artist Caravaggio
and his writings concerning the other Roman artists of his time.
. He was also nicknamed Il Sordo del Barozzo.
Among those whom he chronicled, and for whom he was notorious in his animosity towards, was Caravaggio
. Baglione's Sacred love versus profane love, a response to Caravaggio's Love Victorious, shows an angel (Sacred Love) interrupting a 'meeting' between Cupid (Profane Love) and the Devil (portrayed with the face of Caravaggio). Ironically, Baglione was greatly influenced by the style of Caravaggio during this period of his career. In late August of 1603 Baglione filed a suit for libel against Caravaggio, Orazio Gentileschi
, Ottavio Leoni
, and Filipo Trisegni in connection with some unflattering poems circulated around Rome over the preceding summer. Caravaggios testimony during the trial as recorded in court documents is one of the few insights into his thoughts about the subject of art and his contemporaries. Caravaggio was found guilty and held in the Tor di Nona
prison for two weeks after the trial.
es which can be seen in the Santa Maria Maggiore
in Rome, in the Cappella Borghese. For the church of Santa Maria dell'Orto he painted in the chapel of Our Lady with the Zuccari
scenes from the life of the Blessed Virgin. Among other works which he executed for this church is a painting of Saint Sebastian. An excellent example of Baglione's work is The Last Supper at San Nicola in Carcere
. From his brush also there is a Saint Stephen in the Cathedral at Perugia
, and in that of Loreto
a Saint Catherine. Pope Paul V knighted Baglione a Knight of the Order of Christ
for his painting of Saint Peter
Raising Tabitha
from the Dead (1607) in St. Peter's Basilica
. The Giustizia hall at the Rocca dei Rossi
was completely frescoed by Baglione. He died in Rome on the 30th of December in 1643 at the age of 77.
Mannerism
Mannerism is a period of European art that emerged from the later years of the Italian High Renaissance around 1520. It lasted until about 1580 in Italy, when a more Baroque style began to replace it, but Northern Mannerism continued into the early 17th century throughout much of Europe...
and Early 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...
painter and art historian. He is best remembered for his acrimonious involvement with the artist Caravaggio
Caravaggio
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was an Italian artist active in Rome, Naples, Malta, and Sicily between 1593 and 1610. His paintings, which combine a realistic observation of the human state, both physical and emotional, with a dramatic use of lighting, had a formative influence on the Baroque...
and his writings concerning the other Roman artists of his time.
Early life
A pupil of Francesco Morelli, he worked mainly in Rome, initially with a late-Mannerist styleMannerism
Mannerism is a period of European art that emerged from the later years of the Italian High Renaissance around 1520. It lasted until about 1580 in Italy, when a more Baroque style began to replace it, but Northern Mannerism continued into the early 17th century throughout much of Europe...
. He was also nicknamed Il Sordo del Barozzo.
Writing
He published two books, The nine churches of Rome (1639) and The Lives of Painters, Sculptors, Architects and Engravers (active from 1572–1642)(1642). The latter is still seen as an important historical source for artists living in Rome during the lifetime of Baglione.Among those whom he chronicled, and for whom he was notorious in his animosity towards, was Caravaggio
Caravaggio
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was an Italian artist active in Rome, Naples, Malta, and Sicily between 1593 and 1610. His paintings, which combine a realistic observation of the human state, both physical and emotional, with a dramatic use of lighting, had a formative influence on the Baroque...
. Baglione's Sacred love versus profane love, a response to Caravaggio's Love Victorious, shows an angel (Sacred Love) interrupting a 'meeting' between Cupid (Profane Love) and the Devil (portrayed with the face of Caravaggio). Ironically, Baglione was greatly influenced by the style of Caravaggio during this period of his career. In late August of 1603 Baglione filed a suit for libel against Caravaggio, Orazio Gentileschi
Orazio Gentileschi
Orazio Lomi Gentileschi was an Italian Baroque painter, one of more important painters influenced by Caravaggio...
, Ottavio Leoni
Ottavio Leoni
Ottavio Leoni was an Italian painter and printmaker of the early-Baroque, active mainly in Rome.He was born in Rome, where he first trained with his father, Lodovico Leoni. He painted altarpieces for churches in Rome such as an Annunciation for Sant'Eustachio and a Virgin and child with St...
, and Filipo Trisegni in connection with some unflattering poems circulated around Rome over the preceding summer. Caravaggios testimony during the trial as recorded in court documents is one of the few insights into his thoughts about the subject of art and his contemporaries. Caravaggio was found guilty and held in the Tor di Nona
Tor di Nona
The Tor di Nona— now a small area in Rome's Rione V called "Ponte", which lies in the heart of the city's historic center, between the via dei Coronari and the Tiber— commemorates an unregretted mediaeval tower which stood there...
prison for two weeks after the trial.
Works
He was employed in many considerable works in Rome during the pontificates of Clement VIII and Paul V. His main works are frescoFresco
Fresco is any of several related mural painting types, executed on plaster on walls or ceilings. The word fresco comes from the Greek word affresca which derives from the Latin word for "fresh". Frescoes first developed in the ancient world and continued to be popular through the Renaissance...
es which can be seen in the Santa Maria Maggiore
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major , known also by other names, is the largest Roman Catholic Marian church in Rome, Italy.There are other churches in Rome dedicated to Mary, such as Santa Maria in Trastevere, Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Santa Maria sopra Minerva, but the greater size of the...
in Rome, in the Cappella Borghese. For the church of Santa Maria dell'Orto he painted in the chapel of Our Lady with the Zuccari
Zuccari
Zuccari or Zuccaro may refer to:* the surname of a family of notable Italian painters living in the 16th century:** Ottaviano Zuccari and his sons** Taddeo Zuccari and** Federico Zuccari...
scenes from the life of the Blessed Virgin. Among other works which he executed for this church is a painting of Saint Sebastian. An excellent example of Baglione's work is The Last Supper at San Nicola in Carcere
San Nicola in Carcere
San Nicola in Carcere is a titular church in Rome near the Forum Boarium in rione Ripa. It is one of the traditional stational churches of Lent.-History:...
. From his brush also there is a Saint Stephen in the Cathedral at Perugia
Perugia
Perugia is the capital city of the region of Umbria in central Italy, near the River Tiber, and the capital of the province of Perugia. The city is located about north of Rome. It covers a high hilltop and part of the valleys around the area....
, and in that of Loreto
Loreto (AN)
Loreto is a hilltown and comune of the Italian province of Ancona, in the Marche. It is mostly famous as the seat of the Basilica della Santa Casa, a popular Catholic pilgrimage site.-Location:...
a Saint Catherine. Pope Paul V knighted Baglione a Knight of the Order of Christ
Order of Christ
Order of Christ may refer to:* Order of Christ – former Knights Templar Order awarded initially by the kings of Portugal, now by the Portuguese state...
for his painting of Saint Peter
Saint Peter
Saint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
Raising Tabitha
Tabitha
-People:Tabitha is a biblical name from the Hebrew text of Dorcas and Acts 9:36 in the NIV Bible. The meaning is gazelle.-Literature:* Tabitha Twitchit, Tom Kitten's mother in the books for children by Beatrix Potter...
from the Dead (1607) in St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter , officially known in Italian as ' and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world...
. The Giustizia hall at the Rocca dei Rossi
Rocca dei Rossi
Rocca dei Rossi is a castle located in San Secondo Parmense, northern Italy. It was begun in 1466 on land donated to Giacomo Rossi, a member of one of the most prestigious families in Parma. The stronghold was later turned into a luxurious manor including many beautiful frescoes by the best local...
was completely frescoed by Baglione. He died in Rome on the 30th of December in 1643 at the age of 77.