Pietro Benvenuti
Encyclopedia
Pietro Benvenuti was an Italian
neoclassical
painter.
Born in Arezzo, he was influenced by the style of Jacques-Louis David
. He was a student of the Accademia di Belle Arti
in Florence
, then studied in Rome, 1792-1803, where he formed an informal academy with his friend of long standing, Vincenzo Cammuccini, and Luigi Sabatelli
. He returned to practice in Arezzo and was called in 1807 to be court painter
to Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi
and to direct the Florentine Academy. With a group of collaborators and students Benvenuti was commissioned in 1811-12 to decorate the new rooms in Palazzo Pitti
, where he painted the Salon of Hercules'.
Another prestigious commission, from the restored Grand Duke of Tuscany, Leopold II
, was to fresco the dome of the Capella Medicea
at the San Lorenzo
, depicting eight grand subjects, taken from the Old and the New Testament, the four Prophets and the four Evangelists. Under his guidance, Carlo Lassinio engraved the Luca Giordano
frescoes in Palazzo Medici-Riccardi. He was an associate of the Accademia di Brera, Milan. He died at Florence
, while holding the post of Director of the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze
, the academy of fine arts in Florence.
He should not be confused with the 16th century architect Pietro Benvenuto degli Ordini
.
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...
neoclassical
Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism is the name given to Western movements in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw inspiration from the "classical" art and culture of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome...
painter.
Born in Arezzo, he was influenced by the style of Jacques-Louis David
Jacques-Louis David
Jacques-Louis David was an influential French painter in the Neoclassical style, considered to be the preeminent painter of the era...
. He was a student of the Accademia di Belle Arti
Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze
The Accademia di Belle Arti is an art academy in Florence, Italy and it is now the operative branch of the still existing Accademia delle Arti del Disegno that was the first academy of drawing in Europe.-History:The Accademia delle Arti del Disegno The Accademia di Belle Arti ("Academy of Fine...
in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, then studied in Rome, 1792-1803, where he formed an informal academy with his friend of long standing, Vincenzo Cammuccini, and Luigi Sabatelli
Luigi Sabatelli
Luigi Sabatelli was an Italian painter of the Neoclassic period, active in Milan, Rome, and his native city of Florence....
. He returned to practice in Arezzo and was called in 1807 to be court painter
Court painter
A court painter was an artist who painted for the members of a royal or noble family, sometimes on a fixed salary and on an exclusive basis where the artist was not supposed to undertake other work. Especially in the late Middle Ages, they were often given the office of valet de chambre...
to Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi
Elisa Bonaparte
Maria Anna Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi Levoy, Princesse Française, Duchess of Lucca and Princess of Piombino, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, Countess of Compignano was the fourth surviving child and eldest surviving daughter of Carlo Buonaparte and Letizia Ramolino, making her the younger sister of...
and to direct the Florentine Academy. With a group of collaborators and students Benvenuti was commissioned in 1811-12 to decorate the new rooms in Palazzo Pitti
Palazzo Pitti
The Palazzo Pitti , in English sometimes called the Pitti Palace, is a vast mainly Renaissance palace in Florence, Italy. It is situated on the south side of the River Arno, a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio...
, where he painted the Salon of Hercules'.
Another prestigious commission, from the restored Grand Duke of Tuscany, Leopold II
Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany
Leopold II of Tuscany was the last reigning grand duke of Tuscany ....
, was to fresco the dome of the Capella Medicea
Medici Chapel
The Medici Chapels is a structure in the Basilica of San Lorenzo, Florence, Italy. It comprises two structures added to Brunelleschi's original design, each intended to celebrate the power of the Medici as Grand Dukes of Tuscany. One is the Sagrestia Nuova, the "New Sacristy", designed by...
at the San Lorenzo
Basilica di San Lorenzo di Firenze
The Basilica di San Lorenzo is one of the largest churches of Florence, Italy, situated at the centre of the city’s main market district, and the burial place of all the principal members of the Medici family from Cosimo il Vecchio to Cosimo III...
, depicting eight grand subjects, taken from the Old and the New Testament, the four Prophets and the four Evangelists. Under his guidance, Carlo Lassinio engraved the Luca Giordano
Luca Giordano
Luca Giordano was an Italian late Baroque painter and printmaker in etching. Fluent and decorative, he worked successfully in Naples and Rome, Florence and Venice, before spending a decade in Spain....
frescoes in Palazzo Medici-Riccardi. He was an associate of the Accademia di Brera, Milan. He died at Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, while holding the post of Director of the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze
Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze
The Accademia di Belle Arti is an art academy in Florence, Italy and it is now the operative branch of the still existing Accademia delle Arti del Disegno that was the first academy of drawing in Europe.-History:The Accademia delle Arti del Disegno The Accademia di Belle Arti ("Academy of Fine...
, the academy of fine arts in Florence.
He should not be confused with the 16th century architect Pietro Benvenuto degli Ordini
Pietro Benvenuto degli Ordini
Pietro Benvenuto degli Ordini of Ferrara was the court architect of Borso d'Este, Duke of Ferrara. In the Castello Estense, Ferrara, he was responsible for the courtyard and the splendid external staircase of honour erected in 1481; it dominates the piazza.He was also responsible for the Palazzo...
.
External links
- Athena, Hercules and Cupid Pietro Benvenuti Palazzo Pitti, Florence
- Toscana Europa: Pietro Benvenuti