About the Artist

Pompeo Girolamo Batoni (1708 Lucca 1787 Rome) was an important representative of the late Baroque in rome, as well as a forerunner in his father's goldsmith shop, then settled in rome in 1728, where he studied in particular ancient sculpture and the works of Raphael. Batoni's reputation is based on his dramatic mytholigical and religious paintings ful of theatrical pathos and emotion. The influence of Correggio and of 17th centruy bolognese painting can be discerned in these works. He achieved international fame through his portraits, some of which hepainted during his journey through Europe in 1748. along with Anton Raphael Meng, Batoni was the most popular portraitist in Rome. His works include Sacra Conversazione, 1732, San Gregorio alcelio, Rome; The Five Allegories of the Arts, 1740, Stadelsches Kunstinstitut, Frankfurt; and Diana and Cupid, 1761, The Meropolitan Museum of ?Art, New York.