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Guercino (Barbieri), Giovanni Francesco

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08.02.1591 – 22.12.1666

The real name is Giovanni Francesco Barbieri.
Guercino in Italian (Guercino) is translated as “cross-eyed.” This great artist of the XVII century received this nickname for his squint, which, however, did not in the least prevent him from creating works of art recognized as masterpieces of world painting.

Born in Cento near Bologna, baptized on February 8, 1591.
The history of his family and childhood years of life is not known for certain, but it is known that the boy Barbieri was very fond of painting and showed a craving for art from an early age. As an artist, he was influenced by Lodovico Carracci, but he did not directly study at the “Entering the New Path” Academy founded by the Carracci brothers.

From 1617 to 1621 Gverchino lived in Bologna, where he wrote his most outstanding works. In huge altar images, such as “The Martyrdom of St. Peter” (Modena, Museum), “Return of the Prodigal Son” (Turin, Museum), “Ecstasy of St. Francis” (Paris, Louvre) and “St. William of Aquitaine Receives Monastic Robe” ( Bologna, gallery), Gverchino developed a broad, “picturesque” baroque style. The form structure dissolves in streams of light that emphasize protruding parts and leave everything else immersed in an impenetrable shadow; movements are directed diagonally into the depth of the unlimited space of the picture; Asymmetric composition and rich Venetian flavor enhance the overall dramatic effect.

Talent Guercino was noticed by the papal legate in Ferrara – Cardinal Serra, for whom a number of works were written. It is believed in the circle of specialists that the artist created his best works in his youth, therefore, works written in the early period were called “il vero Guercino” (genuine Gverchino).

An example of such an early manner of the Bologna master is the painting The Martyrdom of Peter. The original composition only partly resembles the techniques of Caravaggio, since Guccino tries to interpret it in the folk spirit, uses the folk type, emphasizes the coarse force of the images. Persons expressing themselves with significant gestures of characters express feelings, but without increased dramatization. The composition is well thought out and the characters are arranged in the form of a diamond shape around the central unfilled space.

In 1618, Guercino visited Venice, where he was greatly impressed by the works of Tintoretto and Jacopo Bassano. In 1621, Guercino was invited to Rome by Pope Gregory XV. The artist arrived in Rome and painted the famous fresco “Aurora” in the Casino Ludovisi, made in the tradition of brilliant Venetian colorism and Bologna academism.

In 1623, Guercino returned to Cento. His palette began to light up, and the energetic baroque style changed in the direction of classicism, especially under the influence of the Bologna artist Guido Reni. One of the last works of the artist Guercino, performed in Rome – “Saint Romualdo” (1640−1641, Ravenna, Pinacoteca). In terms of style, this is the most classic work of the painter.

After the death of Guido, Reni Gverchino moved to Bologna, where he occupied one of the leading places among the masters of this painting school.

In the paintings of Guercino, much is close to the art of Caravaggio: irrational lighting, a dark gloomy background, large figures, common people. As a follower of Ludovico Carracci, he actively used the romantic chiaroskuro, eroding the sculptural clarity of the form. Painting Guverchino studied many European masters of the subsequent time. The early works of the artist Guercino had a direct impact on the Neapolitans PF Mol, M. Preti, and the Bolonian J. M. Crespi.

Gucerchino died in Bologna on December 22, 1666.

Guercino Giovanni Francesco
Two female figures
paper, sanguine
© VOKhM im. I.N. Kramskoy