Piazza, Paolo

Piazza, Paolo (commonly called Padre Cosimo), was born at Castelfranco, in the Venetian territory, in 1557. He studied under the younger Palma, and Baglioni commends him as one of his best pupils. He did not follow the style of his master, but adopted one of his own, which, though not distinguished by great vigor or energy, was graceful and pleasing, and gained him so much reputation that he was successively employed by pope Paul V, the emperor Rudolph II, and the doge Priuli. He executed many works, both in oil and fresco, for the churches and public edifices at Rome,Vienna, Venice, and other places. He was employed several years by the emperor Rudolph. Among his best works are the Descent from the Cross in the Campidoglio, and the History of Antony and Cleopatr in the Palazzo Borghese at Rome. After Piazza had inquired distinction, he joinedl the Capuchin friars, and took the name Padre Cosino, by which appellation he is usually known. He died at Venice in 1621.