About the Artist

In spite of his many religious paintings, Francesco Albani is considered to be foremost Bolognese painter of mythological subjects. Albani first studied with the Flemish painter Denis Calvaert, and in 1595 he became a pupil of Annibale Carrachi in Rome. He received important commissions there in the early 1600s, however returned back to his native city in 1625, where he concentrated primarily on landscapes with a few added figures. His classical compositions were widely praised by his contemporaries. They feature luminous, light colours; a transparent depiction of flesh, sensuous soft lines and imply grace of movement. Albani's paintings are important precursors of modern landscape painting. His major works include Mercury and Apollo, c. 1624, Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome; Annunciation, 1632, San Bartolomeo, Bologna and Dancing Chrubs, c. 1630-1640, Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan.