The Life and Works of Il Guercino

Painter of "The Burial of Saint Petronilla" among others

Feb 10, 2008

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (1591-1666) was an Italian painter who was known as "Il Guercino" ("The Squinting One") because he was cross-eyed.

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri was born in Cento on February 8, 1591. In his youth he received training locally from Bolognese School painter Benedetto Gennari. At the age of 17, he moved to Bologna, where he was influenced by the naturalistic paintings of Lodovico Carracci. Here he painted Elijah Fed by Ravens and Samson Seized by Philistines, which incorporate his influence from Carracci.

One of his first masterpieces was The Arcadian Shepherds. Il Guercino painted The Arcadian Shepherds in Palazzo Pitti, a Renaissance Palace in Florence, Italy. This work was painted in 1618 and is a portrayal of two shepherds staring at a skull. The skull rests on a pedestal which contains the words “Et in Arcadia ego” ("I was in Arcadia too"). This painting was influenced, he claimed, by a canvas in Cento by his teacher Gennari.

Years in Rome

In 1621 Il Guercino moved to Rome where he was recommended to Pope Gregory XV. Here he was commissioned for several paintings including Aurora, which was painted on the ceiling of the Grand Hall and created the illusion that there is no ceiling. His other works during this time include San Chrysogonus in Glory and The Burial of Saint Petronilla.

Il Guercino painted The Burial of Saint Petronilla in 1623, which portrays the burial of the martyred Saint Petronilla as well as her reception into heaven. Saint Petronilla is believed to be the daughter of Saint Peter, Jesus’ disciple and the pope of the first Catholic Church. The painting is thought to be a message to the congregation about the rewards of sacrifice, reverence and devotion; traits that Saint Petronilla displayed.

After the death of Pope Gregory XV in 1623 Il Guercino moved to Cento and worked in his studio there until 1642 at which time he moved back to Bologna. Then, in 1655, The Franciscan order of Reggio commissioned him to paint Saint Luke Displaying a Painting of the Madonna and Child and Flagellation of Christ.

In all, Il Guercino completed at least 144 paintings in his life. Most of his paintings were religious, and a vast majority of these were large altarpieces for churches. He is thought to have greatly influenced the style of Roman High Baroque art, especially during his time in Rome. He was highly regarded in his time and became very wealthy. Il Guercino continued to paint and teach until his death in Bologna on December 22, 1666.

Other Biographies:

Resource:

The copyright of the article The Life and Works of Il Guercino in Baroque & Rococo Art is owned by Bryan Keller. Permission to republish The Life and Works of Il Guercino in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.