Ricci - The Prodigal Son c. 1730 - c. 1734, RCIN 907167

Sebastiano Ricci was born in Belluno, Italy in 1659. He began his artistic training in Venice, where he studied under the painter Federico Cervelli. Ricci's early works were heavily influenced by the Venetian school of painting, particularly the works of Titian and Veronese. In the late 17th century, Ricci moved to Florence, where he was heavily influenced by the works of the Baroque painter Gianlorenzo Bernini. Ricci's style began to shift towards the Baroque, with a greater emphasis on dramatic lighting and movement. Throughout his career, Ricci worked for a number of wealthy patrons, including the Medici family in Florence and the Habsburgs in Vienna. He was particularly renowned for his large-scale decorative works, which adorned the walls and ceilings of palaces and churches throughout Europe. Ricci's style was characterized by its grandeur and theatricality, as well as its use of bright colors and elaborate ornamentation. His works often featured mythological or biblical subjects, and were designed to inspire awe and wonder in the viewer. Sebastiano Ricci died in Venice in 1734, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most important painters of the Baroque era. His works can be found in museums and galleries around the world, including the Louvre in Paris and the National Gallery in London.