Peruzzini, Domenico

Peruzzini, Domenico an Italian engraver, was born at Pesaro or Ancona; flourished, according to the dates in the prints attributed to him, from 1640 to 1661. He is supposed to have been the elder brother of Gio. Peruzzini, and, like him, to have studied under Simone Cantarini. Lanzi says that in a MS. at Pesaro it is mentioned that Domenico was a native of that city, and a scholar of Pandolfi. There is much confusion and contradiction about both artists, and still more uncertainty about Domenico. The list of prints given below were formerly attributed to Domenico Piola; but Bartsch repudiates the idea, and adduces several cogent reasons for transferring them to Domenico Peruzzini. They are etched in a masterly style, resembling those of Cantarini. It would seem that both brothers were natives of Pesaro, but preferred to be called after Ancona, the place of their adoption. The following are the prints attributed to him by Bartsch:

1. The Holy Virgin (half length) with the Infant Jesus (1661);

2. The Virgin seated, with the Infant on her Knees (1661);

3. Christ tempted by the Devil, in the form of an old man (1642);

4. Christ bearing his Cross, with other figures half length;

5. The Holy Family and Saints (1661). The figures in this print are half length. Heineken, in his Dictionnaire des Artistes, attributed this print to Gio. Dom. Cerrini, known under the name of II Cavaliere Perugino.

6. St. Anthony of Padua praying, and the infant Jesus appearing to him in a cloud supported by three cherubim. This print has been erroneously attributed to D. Cresti.

7. The Assassination, a man in his shirt on a bed assailed by three soldiers, one of whom thrusts a lance into his body (1640); 8-11. Landscapes; 12. St. Jerome doing Penance in the Desert. The letters D. P. F. are on a plant to the right. Bartsch, however, considers it doubtful whether it belongs to Domenico Peruzzini, as there is a sensible difference in the style from that of others.