Pier Francesco Mola Artwork valuations, appraisals and auction estimates

Pier Francesco Mola, also known as Ticinese, was born in Coldrerio on 9 February 1612 and died in Rome on 13 May 1666. He moved to Rome together with his father, who was elected architect of the Apostolic Chamber, in 1616 and here he had the opportunity to begin his artistic training. Read the full biography

Pier Francesco Mola, also known as Ticinese, was born in Coldrerio on 9 February 1612 and died in Rome on 13 May 1666. He moved to Rome together with his father, who was elected architect of the Apostolic Chamber, in 1616 and here he had the opportunity to begin his artistic training. He frequented the workshops of artists such as Prospero Orsi, Cavalier Giuseppe d'Arpino, Annibale Carracci and, in Bologna and Venice, he studied the works of Domenichino and Guercino. Returning to Rome in 1647, Mola devoted himself to painting romantic landscape views, demonstrating great skill in the use of chiaroscuro. Later, he decided to concentrate on sacred scenes and mythological subjects. The beauty of his works is evident above all in the drawing: spontaneous and very precise, in the balance between shapes and space and in the combination of colours. An example of the perfect maturation of his style is the painting "Giuseppe reveals himself to his brothers", today exhibited in the Quirinale Palace in Rome. In 1655 Mola was appointed member of the Accademia di San Luca and later prince. He died in Rome on 13 May 1666.