About the Artist

Giordano was a successful Italian Baroque painter. Because of his prolific production, he was also called Luca far presto ("Luke make-it-fast"), or because of his artistic flexibility, Proteo della pittura ("The Proteus of painting"). His work was at first strongly influenced by Jusepe Ribera, and was inspired by a variety of artists during his stay in Rome and Venice in 1653, in particular Pietro da Cortona. He took a second journey to Venice and Florence in 1666, and his distinctive style became a reference point for late Baroque Italian painting. From 1692 to 1702 he served the Spanish court. In his oils and mural paintings he presents many subjects with great virtuosity and imagination. Important works by the artist include Virgin and Child in a Rose Garland, 1657 and Dome Fresco, 1680