Gentileschi, Orazio
Related Category: European Art, 1600 to the Present: Biographies
(ōrä´tsēō jān´´tēlĕs´kē), c.1562c.1639, Tuscan painter, b. Pisa. His real surname was Lomi, but he adopted his uncle's name. He studied in Rome, where he was associated with Agostino Tassi in the decoration of palace interiors. Influenced by
Caravaggio, Gentileschi developed a more softly luminous light and a cooler, more lyrical style. He also painted frescoes in Santa Maria Maggiore and in the Lateran. After spending several years in Genoa and in France, he settled in England (1626) at the invitation of Charles I. Gentileschi's principal works include
The Annunciation (San Siro, Genoa);
Flight into Egypt (Louvre);
Sibyl (Hampton Court, England); and
Moses Saved from the Waters (Prado). He also painted numerous portraits. Artemesia
Gentileschi was his daughter.