Romanelli, Giovanni Francesco

Romanelli, Giovanni Francesco, a painter of the Roman school, was born at Viterbo in 1617. His first master was Domenichino, but his style was chiefly gained from Pietro di Cortona, under whom he afterwards studied. Later he adopted a manner more his own and less imposing, but more soft and pleasant. It is in this style that his best works are executed, as The Descent from the Cross in St. Ambrose's at Rome. Romanelli was employed by cardinal Barberini in the decoration of his palace, and also by Mazarin. He died in 1663. His works are very numerous in Rome, and are all on religious or mythological subjects.