Early Life and Training
Pompeo Batoni moved to Rome in 1727 and apprenticed with Agostino Masucci, Sebastiano Conca, and/or Francesco Imperiali. He owed his first independent commission to the rains that struck Rome in April 1732. His celebrated painting, The Ecstasy of Saint Catherine of Siena, illustrates his academic refinement of the late-Baroque style.
Artistic Style and Influences
Pompeo Batoni's style took inspiration from classical antiquity, French Rococo, Bolognese classicism, and the work of artists such as
Nicolas Poussin,
Claude Lorrain, and especially Raphael. As such,
Pompeo Batoni is considered a precursor of Neoclassicism. His work can be found in various museums, including the
Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan, Italy.
Notable Works and Commissions
Some of his notable works include
Virgin and Child with Saints,
A Knight in Rome: Charles Cecil Roberts, and
The Triumph of Venice. He also received numerous orders for altarpieces for churches in Italy, such as the
Museum Duomo in Siena.
Pompeo Batoni was in demand for portraits, particularly by British travelers, who took pleasure in commissioning standing portraits set in the milieu of antiquities, ruins, and works of art.
- Portraiture: Pompeo Batoni was known for his exquisite portraits of aristocrats and high-ranking individuals.
- Allegorical and Mythological Pictures: His work in this genre is characterized by its technical knowledge and solid composition.
- Influences: Pompeo Batoni's style was influenced by various artistic movements, including Neoclassicism and French Rococo.
Legacy and Later Life
Pompeo Batoni became a highly fashionable painter in Rome, particularly after his rival,
Anton Raphael Mengs, departed for Spain in 1761. He befriended Winckelmann and aimed to restrain classicism in his painting, rather than following the work of Venetian artists.
Pompeo Batoni passed away on February 4, 1787, in Rome, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most renowned Italian painters of his time. Visit https://WahooArt.com/@/Pompeo-Batoni to learn more about his life and work.