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| Gregorio Lazzarini (1657–1730) | ||||||||||
| Born in Villanuova, Venice, Lazzarini was a painter of the Venetian school, renowned for his portraits, historical, religious, and mythological works. A pupil of Francesco Rosa and Girolamo Ferrabosco, he soon distanced himself from their influence, particularly abandoning Rosa’s sombre style, which he not only rejected, but also worked to eliminate from the Venetian tradition. Instead, he focused on achieving the highest standards of simplicity and naturalism in his own art. While some believe he was influenced by the Bolognese or Roman schools, others suggest he never left Venice and earned the respect of his contemporaries purely through his talent, with figures like Carlo Maratti, who was known for his discerning taste, recognising his brilliance. When the Venetian ambassador in Rome sought to commission a painting for the Sala dello Scrutinio, Maratti, in a rare gesture, declined, praising the availability of such a gifted artist in Venice. One of Lazzarini’s most notable works, his depiction of San Lorenzo Giustiniani at the Patriarcale, was considered by some critics to be the finest oil painting of the Venetian school, admired for its grand composition, elegant contours, and the variety in the figures. His mastery of design, composition, and colour, particularly his clarity and smoothness, placed him at the forefront of the Venetian school. He also became the first teacher of Giambattista Tiepolo. Lazzarini’s reputation extended beyond Venice, earning him the nickname the Venetian Raphael. He died at Villa Bona near Polesine. | ||||||||||
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Art