The Life and Activity of Francesco Tacconi

Francesco Tacconi moved through the landscape of the Italian Renaissance, leaving a trail of work across several cities. His hands were active in Cremona during the 15th century, where he worked alongside his brother, Filippo Tacconi. The two brothers collaborated on frescoes for a loggia in the Palazzo Pubblico of their native city. These works were significant enough that, in 1464, their fellow citizens granted them an exemption from all taxes. Much of that early work has since been lost beneath layers of whitewash.

His presence was felt in Venice around 1460, where he was employed at St Mark's Basilica. There, he focused on the organ doors, painting scenes such as the Epiphany, the Resurrection, and the Assumption. By the 1470s, his focus shifted toward Parma. He remained active in the Parmese countryside and the city itself through several stretches of time, specifically in 1476, 1477, 1478, 1494, 1495, and 1496. His career shows a steady movement between these urban centers and the surrounding territories.

The later years of his life saw him returning to his roots. He was recorded as being active in Cremona again in 1500. His life's work was spread across these different regions, from the halls of Cremona to the sacred spaces of Venice and the estates of the Parmese countryside.

Patrons and Major Commissions

The work of Francesco Tacconi often moved through the hands of powerful local figures and civic authorities. In his native Cremona, he and his brother Filippo took on the task of painting frescoes within a loggia in the Palazzo Pubblico. These works left such an impression on the community that, in 1464, his fellow-citizens granted him an exemption from all taxes. Later, around 1500, he was called upon to decorate a facade of the Torrazzo in Cremona, working on a relief of a Lion of St. Mark and other ornaments.

His reach extended to Venice, where in 1460 he was employed at St Mark's Basilica. There, he worked on the organ doors, painting scenes such as the Epiphany, the Resurrection, and the Assumption. These pieces, though much of the original detail has been lost to time, were once signed and dated by the artist.

By the 1470s, his focus shifted toward the Parmese countryside. He entered the service of Count Pier Maria Rossi, a prominent feudal lord of the Duchy of Sforza. His commissions for the Count were spread across different locations, with works distributed between the sites of Torrechiara and Roccabianca.

Key Works and Religious Paintings

Much of Tacconi's hand is found in the wood and gold of St Mark's Basilica in Venice. He worked on the organ doors, leaving behind several scenes that have weathered the centuries. On the external doors, he painted the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Adoration of the Magi. The interior of the organ doors holds the Resurrection and the Ascension. Other scenes from his time in Venice include the Epiphany, the Resurrection, and the Assumption. These paintings, though they have suffered damage over time, remain as traces of his presence in the basilica.

His work also moved through the religious spaces of Parma. In 1497, he painted ramata de la ferata for the chapel of the Immaculate Conception in S. Francesco al Prato. This piece shows his continued engagement with the devotional needs of the region during the later years of his activity.

In a more intimate setting, his brush captured the quietude of the Virgin and Child. This particular work is held by the National Gallery in London. It offers a different perspective from his large-scale ecclesiastical commissions, focusing on the central figures of Christian devotion.

Where to See His Works Today

Finding the traces of Tacconi’s hand requires looking in specific corners of Italy and London. In London, The National Gallery holds The Virgin and Child. It is a quiet presence among the collections, a piece that has survived the passage of time to remain accessible to those who visit the museum.

In Venice, the remains of his work can be found within St Mark's Basilica. He painted the organ doors, including scenes like the Resurrection and the Assumption. These paintings have suffered much damage over the centuries, yet they remain preserved within the basilica. They are the physical remnants of a task he undertook in the late 15th century.

Much of his other work has been lost to time or deliberate changes. The frescoes he and his brother Filippo executed in the Palazzo Pubblico in Cremona were whitewashed over, leaving only the memory of their presence in the loggia. Similarly, the decorations he was commissioned to create for the facade of the Torrazzo in Cremona no longer exist, having been destroyed.