Francesco Solimena

1657–1747

Francesco Solimena was a prolific Italian Baroque painter, one of an established family of painters and draughtsmen. In his early years, influenced above all by Luca Giordano and Mattia Preti, he developed a highly personal and dramatic handling of light and shade, yet his later art reveals a tendency towards a more restrained classicism. Solimena had many pupils, making him one of the strongest influence in Neapolitan painting of the early 18th century. == Biography == === Training and early work, to 1690 === Francesco Solimena was born in Canale di Serino in the province of Avellino. He received early training from his father, Angelo Solimena, and through him absorbed a deep-seated attachment to the naturalist tradition and particularly to the art of his father’s teacher, Francesco Guarino.

Independent artist guide by Momentable. Biography from Wikipedia; artworks credited to the museums that hold them.