Berufung des Apostels Matthäus

1630–1653

Frequent journeys: Italy, Spain and Flanders

Although he remained in Rome for nearly twenty-five years, he travelled frequently throughout Italy and abroad, particularly to Spain and Flanders, and established contacts with Emilian painters of the preceding generation, Guercino and Giovanni Lanfranco, who further influenced his style.

1636

The brothers’ home at San Biagio; the Accademia di San Luca

By 1636 Mattia and Gregorio Preti were recorded as residing at the Church of San Biagio a Montecitorio, and their names had already appeared on lists of artists associated with the Accademia di San Luca, although they did not formally join the institution.

early 1640s

The Preti brothers’ success in Roman circles

By the early 1640s the brothers were enjoying considerable success in Roman circles: numerous works by Mattia were catalogued in important private collections belonging to the local nobility, alongside significant public commissions.

31 October 1642

Admitted to the Order of St John of Jerusalem

He was admitted to the Order of St John of Jerusalem. The large canvas of Empress Faustina visiting Saint Catherine of Alexandria in prison (Dayton Art Institute, Dayton, Ohio) dates from this period: its original frame bore the Barberini coat of arms, and the work was most likely created to celebrate his knighthood.