Salvator Rosa studied in Naples under his brother-in-law, Francesco Francanzano, and the battle-painter Aniello Falcone. In 1635 he went to Rome where he also developed literary interests. In Florence, between 1640 and 1649, he enjoyed Medici patronage and formed a literary society, the 'Accademia dei Percossi', a crossroads for literati and artists. Rosa returned in 1649 to Rome. Rosa was impressed by both the naturalism of Ribera and the classicism of Poussin, but, being extremely independent of spirit and confident of his own genius, he allied himself with no one. Although his fame rested mostly on his work as a landscapist, Rosa preferred to be regarded as a history painter. He also chose subjects of an esoteric and philosophic nature. Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Rosa's works were immensely popular. Rosa was a skilful etcher and an extraordinary draughtsman. His spirited, exuberant drawings were highly praised by connoisseurs even in his own day. |
