Luca Giordano (1634 - 1705)

He is one of the most notable Neapolitan baroque painters of the late 17th century. His virtuosic style and his technical skills made him a sought-after artist. He carried out his many commissions swiftly in a large workshop – which earned him the nickname of “fa presto” – “do it quickly”. Giordano was a pupil of his father, a copyist who had familiarised him with antiquity and the works of famous artists. His further development was crucially influenced by the Spaniard Jusepe de Ribera (1591–1652) as well as the two Italians Michelangelo da Caravaggio (1571–1610) and Pietro da Cortona (1596–1669). From the 1650s, Giordano’s works were influenced by the Venetian warm, glowing colours. His field of activity in Italy ranged from Naples to Rome, Florence and Venice. In 1692 he was invited by King Charles II (1661–1700) to the Spanish court in Madrid, where he remained until 1702.

Author: Habersatter Thomas

Literature: DUCKE Astrid, HABERSATTER Thomas, OEHRING Erika: Masterworks. Residenzgalerie Salzburg. Salzburg 2015, S. 14