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Historical Artist - Carlo Cignani (1628 - 1719)
Born in Bologna, Carlo Cignani studied under Francesco Albani. Domenichino and Guido Reni also
influenced him. He mostly produced religious, decorative works and developed an international
reputation for his paintings. In 1709, he was appointer director for life of Bologna’s
newly founded Accademia Clementina. He was, however, also strongly influenced by the genius of
Correggio. For instance, his masterpiece, the Assumption of the Virgin, around the cupola of the
church of the Madonna del Fuoco at Forlì, is inspired by the Correggio's frescoes in the
cupola of the Cathedral of Parma. These frescoes occupied Cignani for some twenty years.
He had some of the defects of his masters: his elaborate finish and his audacious artificiality
in the use of color and in composition mark Albani's influence. Despite that, he imparted to his
work more of an intellectual character than his mentors. As a man Cignani was eminently amiable,
unassuming and generous.
Contemporary Italian Artists
Art Galleries in Italy
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