Giovanni Battista Piazzetta

Place: Venice

Born: 1715

Death: 1754

Biography:

Giovanni Battista Piazzetta, also known as Giambattista Piazzetta or Giambattista Valentino Piazzetta, was a prominent Italian Rococo painter born in Venice on February 13, 1682 or 1683. He is renowned for his captivating paintings of religious subjects and genre scenes.

Early Life and Training

Piazzetta's early training in wood carving was under the guidance of his father, Giacomo Piazzetta, a sculptor. Starting in 1697, he studied with the painter Antonio Molinari. By Piazzetta's account, he also studied under Giuseppe Maria Crespi while living in Bologna from 1703 to 1705.

Artistic Style and Influences

Piazzetta's artistic style was characterized by his use of warm, rich colors and a mysterious poetry. He often depicted peasantry, even in grand fashion, and brought an elusiveness to works of a religious nature. His gestures and glances hinted at unseen dramas, as seen in one of his best-known paintings, The Soothsayer, now in Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice.

Notable Works and Legacy

Some of Piazzetta's notable works include Ecstasy of St Francis, St Anthony of Padua, St Gaetano, and Guardian Angel, and Three Dominican Saints. His range of topics was broader than that of other artists, such as Tiepolo, who never painted genre paintings. Piazzetta's darker and more intimate depictions were also influenced by the luminosity and brilliance of Tiepolo's palette.

Later Life and Teaching

In 1750, Piazzetta became the first director of the newly founded Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia, where he devoted his last years to teaching. He was elected a member of the Bolognese Accademia Clementina in 1727.

• Piazzetta's artistic style was characterized by his use of warm, rich colors and a mysterious poetry.
• He often depicted peasantry, even in grand fashion, and brought an elusiveness to works of a religious nature.
• His gestures and glances hinted at unseen dramas, as seen in one of his best-known paintings, The Soothsayer.
• Piazzetta's range of topics was broader than that of other artists, such as Tiepolo, who never painted genre paintings.

works by Piazzetta can be found in various museums, including the Museum Santa Maria Formosa and the Palumbo-Fossati Collection, both located in Venice. His legacy continues to inspire artists and art lovers alike. https://Wikioo.org/@/Giovanni-Battista-Piazzetta https://Wikioo.org/Art.nsf/O/A@D3BG2Z https://Wikioo.org/Art.nsf/O/A@D3AHB3 https://Wikioo.org/@@/8Y3F37-Giovanni-Battista-Piazzetta-Three-Dominican-Saints https://Wikioo.org/@@/8Y3F32-Giovanni-Battista-Piazzetta-The-Glory-of-St-Dominic