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In the dazzling world of Baroque art, one name stands out for his unique portrayal of the passion and drama of the era: Guido Cagnacci, born on January 13, 1601 in Santarcangelo di Romagna, Rimini and died in Vienna in 1663. A prominent member of the Bolognese School, Cagnacci, originally Guido Canlassi, adopted his distinctive artist name "Cagnacci," meaning "mutt," as an ironic reference to his own unsightly appearance. Cagnacci's family was rooted in the artistic corners of the Italian community of Urbania. His father Matteo followed the family tradition and learned the trade of furrier, while also serving as a preacher in Santarcangelo di Romagna. Growing up alongside his sisters Lucia and Virginia, Cagnacci's love of painting shaped him from an early age. At the age of about 15, his father sent him to Bologna for a four-year apprenticeship in the fine arts. Here he studied under the masters Guido Reni, Giovanni Francesco Barbieri and Lodovico Carracci.
After completing his training, Cagnacci made two trips to Rome, where he had the opportunity to study the works and style of Caravaggio, whose influence can be seen in his own work. After returning to his native region, he received commissions in Rimini and Forlì. However, his life took a dramatic turn when in 1628 he began an affair with Teodora Stivi, a widowed and wealthy countess, and was banished from the city for scandal. After an extended stay in Bologna, Cagnacci moved to Venice in 1650, where he founded an art school and befriended the painter Pietro Liberi. Under his civil name Canlassi, he became known in Venice mainly for his erotic works. In 1658, Cagnacci was summoned to Vienna by Leopold I, where he served as court painter and eventually died. His remains rest in the Augustinian Church. Cagnacci's exceptional talent for handling light and shadow, coupled with his passion for depicting human emotion and drama, make his works ideal candidates for fine art prints. By carefully reproducing his art, we can continue to honor and celebrate Cagnacci's unique vision and mastery.
In the dazzling world of Baroque art, one name stands out for his unique portrayal of the passion and drama of the era: Guido Cagnacci, born on January 13, 1601 in Santarcangelo di Romagna, Rimini and died in Vienna in 1663. A prominent member of the Bolognese School, Cagnacci, originally Guido Canlassi, adopted his distinctive artist name "Cagnacci," meaning "mutt," as an ironic reference to his own unsightly appearance. Cagnacci's family was rooted in the artistic corners of the Italian community of Urbania. His father Matteo followed the family tradition and learned the trade of furrier, while also serving as a preacher in Santarcangelo di Romagna. Growing up alongside his sisters Lucia and Virginia, Cagnacci's love of painting shaped him from an early age. At the age of about 15, his father sent him to Bologna for a four-year apprenticeship in the fine arts. Here he studied under the masters Guido Reni, Giovanni Francesco Barbieri and Lodovico Carracci.
After completing his training, Cagnacci made two trips to Rome, where he had the opportunity to study the works and style of Caravaggio, whose influence can be seen in his own work. After returning to his native region, he received commissions in Rimini and Forlì. However, his life took a dramatic turn when in 1628 he began an affair with Teodora Stivi, a widowed and wealthy countess, and was banished from the city for scandal. After an extended stay in Bologna, Cagnacci moved to Venice in 1650, where he founded an art school and befriended the painter Pietro Liberi. Under his civil name Canlassi, he became known in Venice mainly for his erotic works. In 1658, Cagnacci was summoned to Vienna by Leopold I, where he served as court painter and eventually died. His remains rest in the Augustinian Church. Cagnacci's exceptional talent for handling light and shadow, coupled with his passion for depicting human emotion and drama, make his works ideal candidates for fine art prints. By carefully reproducing his art, we can continue to honor and celebrate Cagnacci's unique vision and mastery.