Giovan Battista Gaulli known as il Baciccio or Baciccia was born in Genoa in 1639. Trained in his homeland under the guidance of Luciano Borzone (where he became acquainted with the art of Rubens and Anton van Dyck and of whom he assimilated the pasty and free brushstroke and the vast range of colors) and settled in Rome since 1657, after losing his family due to the plague that broke out in Genoa, Gaulli soon entered the entourage of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, of whom he became one of the most gifted collaborators, thanks also to a good temperamental affinity and tastes. Read the full biography
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Giovan Battista Gaulli known as il Baciccio or Baciccia was born in Genoa in 1639. Trained in his homeland under the guidance of Luciano Borzone (where he became acquainted with the art of Rubens and Anton van Dyck and of whom he assimilated the pasty and free brushstroke and the vast range of colors) and settled in Rome since 1657, after losing his family due to the plague that broke out in Genoa, Gaulli soon entered the entourage of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, of whom he became one of the most gifted collaborators, thanks also to a good temperamental affinity and tastes. It was in fact Bernini who recommended him to decorate the plumes of the dome of Sant'Agnese in Agone (from whose construction site Borromini had just been ousted; 1668 - 1669) and who introduced him to the Jesuits, ensuring that he obtained the task of decorating the Church of Gesù (1674 - 1679), frescoing the vault, the presbytery and the chapel of Sant'Ignazio (which in those years was being rebuilt by Andrea Pozzo and adorned with statues by Pierre Legros). Gaulli was also a portraitist of excellent quality: among his depicted are Clement IX, Clement X, Cardinal Alfonso Litta, Abbot Giuseppe Renato Imperiali, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Other works of his are present in San Rocco in Augusteo (Madonna with Child and Saints Rocco and Antonio Abate, from around 1660) in Santa Marta, Santa Maria in Campitelli, Santa Maria Maddalena, Palazzo Chigi, in Genoa and in Ascoli Piceno (Conversion of Saint Paul, Death of Saint Francis Xavier). He died in Rome on 2 April 1709.
