Allégorie de la Guerre

1692–1702 · Virkested

Madrid

1692–1702

His speed reaches its peak

His nickname “Luca fa presto” (“Luca paints quickly”) is fully borne out in Spain: the Prior of the Escorial reports to Charles II that in a single day Giordano paints ten to twelve figures three times life size, with the angels and clouds that go with them, while the two theologians instructing him in the mysteries answer more slowly than he asks his questions.

1700

Charles II dies: commissions only from private patrons

After the death of Charles II, Giordano works only for private patrons, although Philip V greatly admires his art.

8 February 1702

Leaves Madrid for Naples

Leaves Madrid and returns to Naples. During his decade in Spain he painted major decorative schemes at the Buen Retiro, the Escorial, the sacristy of Toledo Cathedral and the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, as well as part of the frescoes in the church of San Antonio de los Alemanes.

1702–1705 · Virkested

Naples

1702–1705

Late years in Naples

After his return he goes on painting prolifically, in a lighter, less rhetorical style that prefigures the Rococo. He spends large sums on acts of munificence and is particularly liberal to poorer artists.