Early Life and Training
- Born: Urbino, Italy (1535)
- Died: 1612
- Federico Fiori Barocci, an Italian Renaissance painter and printmaker, was born in 1535 in Urbino, Italy.
- His original name was Federico Fiori, and he was nicknamed "il Baroccio," which means a two-wheel cart drawn by oxen in northwestern Italian dialects.
- Barocci received his earliest apprenticeship with his father, Ambrogio Barocci, a sculptor of some local eminence.
- He was then apprenticed with the painter Battista Franco in Urbino. This training laid the foundation for his future success.
Artistic Career and Influences
- Barocci's work was highly esteemed and influential, foreshadowing the Baroque style of Peter Paul Rubens.
- He worked in the pre-eminent studio of Taddeo and Federico Zuccari in Rome, where he was exposed to various artistic influences.
- His first notable work was a "St. Margaret" executed for the confraternity of the Holy Sacrament.
- He was invited by Pope Pius IV to assist in the decoration of the Vatican Belvedere Palace at Rome, where he painted the Virgin Mary and infant, with several saints and a ceiling in fresco, representing the Annunciation.
- Barocci's style was characterized by a mix of Mannerism and Baroque elements.
Notable Works and Legacy
- Five Studies of Male Figure and two of His Right Hand and Arm (Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy) - A testament to Barocci’s skill in capturing the human form.
- Composition Study (for “Circumcision”, Paris, Musée du Louvre) – Demonstrates his ability to balance composition and emotion.
- Man’s Head (for “Calling of Saint Andrew”, Bruxelles, Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique) - Showcases Barocci's attention to detail and expression.
- The Nativity (1597 oil painting at the Prado).
- Madonna del Popolo (Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy).
- The Madonna of the Cat (La Madonna del Gatto)
- Annunciation (1582)
Artistic Impact and Followers
- Barocci's influence can be seen in the work of various artists, including Peter Paul Rubens, who was inspired by Barocci’s dramatic and emotive brushwork.
- His legacy continues to be celebrated through his numerous works, now housed in museums such as the Uffizi Gallery (Florence, Italy) and the Musée du Louvre (Paris, France).
Questions & Answers
Where are Federico Fiori Barocci's artworks mapped by subject?
The Subject Atlas of Federico Fiori Barocci is a page that maps the artist's artworks by their subjects.
Is there a chronological account of Federico Fiori Barocci?
Federico Fiori Barocci's career unfolds period by period on the artist's Chronicle page: a horizontal timeline of the artworks, grouped into career-period chapters.
Can I browse Federico Fiori Barocci's works by medium?
To find all works by Federico Fiori Barocci in a given medium, use the artist's All Medium page.
