Paticchi, Antonio

Paticchi, Antonio an Italian painter, was born at Rome in 1762. He acquired the elements of design from his father, and made such rapid progress that at the age of twenty he was commissioned to execute the painting in the Refectory of the Carnes at Veletri. On one of. the walls he painted The Last Supper; on another, The Virgin, surrounded by Saints; and in the vault, Elijah ascending to Heaven on a Chariot of Fire. This great work gained for Paticchi so high a reputation that count Toruzzi, of Veletri, immediately commissioned him to paint the gallery of his palace, where he represented the Car of Night, and. several fabulous subjects. He wrought with wonderful rapidity; and perceiving that his facility of execution had led him to neglect excellence of coloring, he devoted his energies partially to this branch of art. He died in 1788. Paticchi possessed a great talent for imitating the 'designs of great masters; and he executed very many in the style of Polidoro da. Caravaggio, which, according to the Biographie Universelle, are attributed to that master by the best judges, and have a place in many fine collections.