Agostino Carracci - Life

Life

Agostino Carracci was born in Bologna, and trained at the workshop of the architect Domenico Tibaldi. Starting from 1574 he worked as a reproductive engraver, copying works of 16th century masters such as Federico Barocci, Tintoretto, Antonio Campi, Veronese and Correggio. He also produced some original prints, including two etchings.

He travelled to Venice (1582, 1587–1589) and Parma (1586–1587). Together with Annibale and Ludovico he worked in Bologna on the fresco cycles in Palazzo Fava (Histories of Jason and Medea, 1584) and Palazzo Magnani (Histories of Romulus, 1590–1592). In 1592 he also painted the Communion of St. Jerome, now in the Pinacoteca di Bologna and considered his masterwork. From 1586 is his altarpiece of the Madonna with Child and Saints, in the National Gallery of Parma.

In 1598 Carracci joined his brother Annibale in Rome, to collaborate on the decoration of the Gallery in Palazzo Farnese. From 1598–1600 is a triple Portrait, now in Naples, an example of genre painting.

In 1600 he was called to Parma by Duke Ranuccio I Farnese to began the decoration of the Palazzo del Giardino, but he died before it was finished.

Agostino's son Antonio Carracci was also a painter, and attempted to compete with his father's Academy.

Read more about this topic:  Agostino Carracci

Famous quotes containing the word life:

    The best thing to do with the best things in life is to give them up.
    Dorothy Day (1897–1980)

    A moment that gave not only itself, but
    Also the means of keeping it, of not turning to dust
    Or gestures somewhere up ahead
    But of becoming complicated like the torrent
    In new dark passages, tears and laughter which
    Are a sign of life, of distant life in this case.
    John Ashbery (b. 1927)

    What if it should turn out eternity
    Was but the steeple on our house of life
    That made our house of life a house of worship?
    Robert Frost (1874–1963)