Luca Giordano, Italian painter and illustrator (b. 1634)

Luca Giordano (18 October 1634 – 3 January 1705) was a highly influential Italian painter and printmaker of the late Baroque period, renowned for his extraordinary speed and prolific output, which earned him the nickname "Fa Presto" (meaning "does quickly"). His artistic style was characterized by its remarkable fluency, decorative grandeur, and a vibrant palette, enabling him to masterfully blend various influences and execute monumental commissions across Europe. Giordano's prolific career spanned a wide array of genres, including grand-scale religious frescoes, intricate mythological scenes, and expressive altarpieces, establishing him as one of the most significant figures in 17th-century European art.

Born in Naples, Giordano received his initial training from his father, Antonio Giordano, and later honed his skills under the Spanish artist Jusepe de Ribera, whose dramatic chiaroscuro greatly influenced his early work. He subsequently travelled to Rome, where he absorbed the dynamic compositions of Pietro da Cortona and the classical grandeur of Raphael, further developing his signature style that combined Neapolitan naturalism with Roman Baroque exuberance. His capacity to assimilate and adapt different artistic trends allowed him to achieve widespread success and secure prestigious commissions in numerous prominent Italian cities.

Giordano's artistic journey saw him work successfully throughout Italy, leaving an indelible mark on the local art scenes. In his native Naples, he executed numerous significant works, including the stunning frescoes for the Certosa di San Martino, which showcased his ability to manage vast decorative schemes with astonishing speed. His period in Florence was marked by the elaborate frescoes in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, demonstrating his adaptability to different courtly tastes and architectural spaces. In Venice, his style evolved to incorporate a more luminous palette and expressive brushwork, reflecting the city's rich artistic heritage and contributing to its vibrant late-Baroque movement. His ability to mimic the styles of various masters, from Paolo Veronese to Peter Paul Rubens, further solidified his reputation as a versatile and ingenious artist.

The pinnacle of Giordano's international career was his decade-long residence in Spain. Invited by King Charles II in 1692, he served as court painter, undertaking monumental decorative projects in royal palaces and churches. His most notable Spanish commissions included the vast ceiling frescoes at the Escorial and the Casón del Buen Retiro, where his light, airy compositions and vivid colors brought a new dynamism to the Spanish court. His work greatly influenced local Spanish painters and bridged the artistic traditions between Italy and the Iberian Peninsula. He continued to serve King Philip V after Charles II's death before returning to Naples in 1702, where he spent his final years, continuing to produce art until his death.

Frequently Asked Questions About Luca Giordano

What was Luca Giordano's nickname and why?
Luca Giordano was famously nicknamed "Fa Presto," which translates from Italian as "does quickly." This moniker was given to him due to his extraordinary speed in painting and the remarkable volume of artworks he produced throughout his career, often completing large-scale commissions in a fraction of the time expected.
Where did Luca Giordano primarily work in Italy?
Luca Giordano worked extensively and successfully across several major Italian artistic centers. His most significant commissions were in his native Naples, but he also achieved considerable recognition and completed important works in Rome, Florence (notably the Palazzo Medici Riccardi), and Venice.
What were Luca Giordano's major contributions to Spanish art?
During his decade in Spain (1692-1702), Luca Giordano served as court painter to Kings Charles II and Philip V. He executed monumental frescoes in royal residences like the Escorial and the Casón del Buen Retiro, introducing a lighter, more dynamic, and colorful late-Baroque style that profoundly influenced Spanish painters and revitalized the local art scene.
How did Luca Giordano influence the Baroque period?
Luca Giordano significantly influenced the late Baroque period through his innovative synthesis of various artistic traditions, his prolific output, and his highly decorative style. He seamlessly blended Neapolitan naturalism with Roman grandeur and Venetian luminosity, creating a versatile artistic language that resonated across Europe and foreshadowed aspects of the Rococo style. His ability to execute grand frescoes with such speed and fluidity also set new standards for large-scale decorative painting.