Francesco Solimena

Italy 1657-1747
Francesco Solimena, an influential Italian Baroque painter and decorator, was born on October 4, 1657, in Canale di Serino, near Avellino, Italy. He is best remembered for his monumental canvases that adorn churches, palaces, and public buildings across the region, showcasing a mastery of dramatic lighting, rich colors, and intricate details characteristic of the Neapolitan Baroque. Solimena's early artistic education took place under the guidance of his father, Angelo Solimena, who was also a painter. However, he honed his skills further by studying the works of the great masters such as Luca Giordano and Giovanni Lanfranco, whose impact is evident in Francesco's expressive brushwork and dynamic compositions. His career reached its zenith during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, where he became one of the most sought-after artists in Southern Italy, often referred to as "the Prince of painters." His body of work encompasses not just grand altarpieces but also frescoes, ceiling decorations, and portraits. Among his notable commissions are the frescoes at the Church of Santa Maria la Nova in Naples, the sacristy of San Paolo Maggiore, and the apse of the Cathedral of Nocera Inferiore. His paintings typically depict religious scenes with a sense of theatricality and emotion, featuring complex arrangements of figures in opulent settings. Solimena's influence extended beyond his prolific painting career; he established an academy in his home, which attracted many students, thus contributing significantly to the spread and evolution of the Neapolitan school of painting. Additionally, he dabbled in architecture and contributed designs for various projects, highlighting his versatility as an artist. Throughout his lifetime, Solimena received numerous prestigious accolades and commissions from both ecclesiastical and secular patrons, including members of the Bourbon royal family. Despite being deeply rooted in the Baroque tradition, his later works reveal a shift towards the emerging Rococo style, displaying a softer palette and lighter touch. Francesco Solimena passed away on April 27, 1747, leaving behind an oeuvre that is celebrated for its technical virtuosity and its embodiment of the grandeur and splendor typical of the late Baroque period. His legacy continues to be admired, particularly within the context of Southern Italian art history, where he remains an emblematic figure bridging the gap between the classicism of the preceding generation and the ornate flourishes of the following era.

Collection of Works(Page 1)

A Nude Man Chained to a Rock,Francesco Solimena,Sketch,Sketch, 1boy, male focus, solo, monochrome, sketch
A Nude Man Chained to a Rock
Resolution: 2389 × 4000 px
Auferstehung Christi,Francesco Solimena,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, fine art parody, multiple boys
Auferstehung Christi
Resolution: 1848 × 3508 px
Christ And The Woman Of Samaria,Francesco Solimena,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, fine art parody, multiple boys
Christ And The Woman Of Samaria
Resolution: 4000 × 2957 px
Diego Pignatelli d'Aragona,Francesco Solimena,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, robe, male focus, standing
Diego Pignatelli d'Aragona
Resolution: 2990 × 3856 px
A Seated Nude Man Pointing to the Right,Francesco Solimena,Sketch,Sketch, 1boy, male focus, solo, nude
A Seated Nude Man Pointing to the Right
Resolution: 2297 × 4000 px
Aurora Taking Leave of Tithonus,Francesco Solimena,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, fine art parody, parody, wings
Aurora Taking Leave of Tithonus
Resolution: 3200 × 4306 px
Christ descending into Limbo,Francesco Solimena,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, fine art parody, parody
Christ descending into Limbo
Resolution: 2351 × 3080 px
Group of Allegorical figures; Sketch for a Ceiling Decoration,Francesco Solimena,Sketch,Sketch, monochrome
Group of Allegorical figures; Sketch for a Ceiling Decoration
Resolution: 2494 × 3420 px
Allegorical Figure of Study,Francesco Solimena,Sketch,Sketch, fine art parody, bird, multiple boys, wings
Allegorical Figure of Study
Resolution: 3632 × 2761 px
Bacchus And Ariadne,Francesco Solimena,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, fine art parody, parody, multiple boys
Bacchus And Ariadne
Resolution: 5200 × 3960 px
Death of Messalina,Francesco Solimena,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, fine art parody, multiple boys, parody
Death of Messalina
Resolution: 13320 × 10216 px
Jupiter with his Eagle,Francesco Solimena,Sketch,Sketch, wings, monochrome, fine art parody, multiple boys
Jupiter with his Eagle
Resolution: 2973 × 3775 px