Luca Giordano

Luca Giordano,1634 – 1705, was an Italian late Baroque painter and printmaker in etching. Fluent in decorative, he worked successfully in Naples and Rome, Florence and Venice, before spending a decade in Spain. Born in Naples, Giordano was the son of the painter Antonio Giordano. In around 1650 he was apprenticed to Ribera, on the recommendation of the viceroy of Naples, and his early work was heavily influenced by his teacher. He acquired the nickname Luca fa presto, which translates into "Luca paints quickly." In 1682–83 Giordano painted various fresco series in Florence. In 1692 Giordano went to Spain at the invitation of Charles II. He stayed there for ten years, returning to Naples in 1702, following Charles' death. While in Spain, he painted major decorative schemes at the Buen Retiro Palace, El Escorial, the sacristry of Toledo Cathedral, and other sites. He also painted many pictures for the court, private patrons and churches. His pupils, Aniello Rossi and Matteo Pacelli, assisted him in Spain. Giordano was popular at the Spanish court, and the king granted him the title of a "caballero". After his return to Naples early in 1702, Giordano continued to paint prolifically.