Called L'orbetto Alessandro Turchi

Place: Verona

Born: 1578

Death: 1649

Biography:

Alessandro Turchi, also known as Called L'orbetto Alessandro Turchi, was a prominent Italian painter of the early Baroque period. Born in 1578 in Verona, Italy, he was active mainly in Verona and later in Rome. His style has been described as soft and Caravaggesque at the same time.

Early Life and Training

Turchi initially trained with Felice Riccio (il Brusasorci) in Verona. By 1603, he was working as an independent painter, and in 1606-1609, Turchi painted the organ shutters for the Accademia Filarmonica of Verona. When Brusasorci died in 1605, Turchi and his fellow painter Pasquale Ottino completed a series of their deceased master's canvases.

Notable Works and Commissions

Some of his notable works include the Assumption altarpiece for the church of San Luca of Verona, and the Madonna and Saints altarpiece, today lost, commissioned by the Veronese Guild of the Goldsmiths. He also painted a Christ, Magdalen, and Angels for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, and participated in the fresco decoration depicting the Gathering of Manna for the Sala Reggia of the Quirinal Palace. For more information on his works, visit Wikioo.org.

Style and Influence

Turchi's style has been described as soft and Caravaggesque at the same time. He was influenced by the works of Carlo Cagliari and Felice Riccio (il Brusasorci). His paintings often featured historical subjects, which he frequently painted on black marble.

Pupils and Later Life

Among his pupils were Giovanni Ceschini and Giovanni Battista Rossi (il Gobbino), who practiced in Verona. In 1623, Turchi married Lucia San Giuliano. He became the Principe or director of the Accademia di San Luca in 1637, and joined the papal guild of artists, called the Pontifical Academy of Fine Arts and Letters of the Virtuosi al Pantheon, in 1638.

• Some notable paintings by Alessandro Turchi:
• Christ and the Woman Taken into Adultery
• Madonna and Child with Infant John the Baptist and Saint Francis
• Adoration of the Shepherds
• Flagellation of Christ

For more information on Alessandro Turchi, visit Wikipedia or Wikioo.org.