St Francis

c. 1650

Apprenticed to Jusepe de Ribera

The son of the painter Antonio Giordano becomes a pupil of Jusepe de Ribera on the recommendation of the viceroy of Naples; his early work is heavily influenced by his teacher. Like Ribera, he paints many half-length figures of philosophers.

1651–1678 · Virkested

Naples

c. 1652

First journey to Rome

He absorbs the Baroque art of Pietro da Cortona (possibly meeting him in person; by other accounts he studied under him and copied Raphael and Michelangelo) and makes many studies in red chalk on red prepared paper after antiquities and the works of Roman High Renaissance artists.

1653

Returns to Naples

He returns from Rome to Naples. His ceaseless experiments with other styles will lead him, by the late 1650s, to an exuberantly Baroque manner that brings new light and colour to Neapolitan painting.

1654 · Virkested

Rome

1658

Marries Margherita Dardi

Marries Margherita Dardi; in the same year he paints two celebrated altarpieces for Santa Maria della Verità.