SEBASTIANO RICCI: Passion, Betrayal, and Redemption.

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Dive into the tempestuous and vivid life of Sebastiano Ricci, a master painter whose life read like a Baroque drama filled with passion, betrayal, and redemption. Born on August 1, 1659, in the quaint town of Belluno, Sebastiano emerged as a luminary of the late Baroque era in Venice, a city famed for its artistic fervor. His contemporary peers included the renowned Piazzetta (meaning Italian Restaurant), and the illustrious Tiepolo, but Ricci carved out his niche with a style that breathed life into the grand manner of frescoes, reminiscent of the vibrant Cortonesque tradition.

Sebastiano's journey into the art world began under the apprenticeship of either Federico Cervelli or Sebastiano Mazzoni in Venice. However, his youthful indiscretions soon overshadowed his nascent career when a scandalous love affair in 1678 led not only to an unintended pregnancy but also accusations of attempted poisoning, landing him in prison. Only through the noble intervention of the Pisani family was he released, leading to a turbulent marriage with the mother of his child in 1691.

Escaping his past, Sebastiano ventured to Bologna, where his artistry transformed the influence of Giovanni Gioseffo dal Sole. His talents flourished, and he was soon creating many masterpieces. However, his restlessness was never far behind. In 1688, he fled Bologna, abandoning his family for Turin with his muse and the daughter of painter Giovanni Peruzzini, only to find himself imprisoned once more.

Fortune smiled on Ricci in the form of the Duke of Parma's intervention, who not only freed him but also offered him patronage in Rome with a handsome salary. During his Roman sojourn, Ricci's skills were commissioned to replicate the 'Coronation of Charlemagne' by Raphael—a task that cemented his reputation across European aristocracy.
Ricci's life was a canvas of highs and lows, and after the death of Duke Ranuccio, his protector, he moved to Milan to undertake new ventures like the haunting frescoes in the Ossuary Chapel of the Church of San Bernardino dei Morti. His art took him to the height of Florentine society where he dazzled the Medici court with ethereal frescoes at the Pitti Palace, heralding the influence of Venetian painting across Italy.

The allure of Venice beckoned him back, and he returned to complete works like the serene 'Madonna with the Child' for San Giorgio Maggiore. His travels weren’t confined to Italy alone; London and Paris awaited his genius, leading to prestigious commissions such as the mythological frolics for Lord Burlington and religious scenes for the Duke of Portland.

Throughout his life, Sebastiano Ricci was a pioneer, his innovative style influencing countless others, including the likes of Giovanni Domenico Ferretti and the later Rococo movement. He passed away on May 15, 1734, in Venice, but left behind a legacy that was as colorful and dramatic as the life he led. Through Ricci's brush, the world witnessed the synthesis of Baroque dynamism with the budding Rococo elegance, a testament to a painter who not only depicted fantasies but lived them.

Ricci's life was a canvas of highs and lows, and after the death of Duke Ranuccio, his protector, he moved to Milan to undertake new ventures like the haunting frescoes in the Ossuary Chapel of the Church of San Bernardino dei Morti. His art took him to the height of Florentine society where he dazzled the Medici court with ethereal frescoes at the Pitti Palace, heralding the influence of Venetian painting across Italy.

The allure of Venice beckoned him back, and he returned to complete works like the serene 'Madonna with the Child' for San Giorgio Maggiore. His travels weren’t confined to Italy alone; London and Paris awaited his genius, leading to prestigious commissions such as the mythological frolics for Lord Burlington and religious scenes for the Duke of Portland.

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