Witches at their Incantations

1640–1649

Florentine Period at the Medici Court

After scandalous quarrels with Bernini and his failure to gain admission to the Accademia di San Luca, he moved to Florence at the invitation of Giovanni Carlo de' Medici, where he remained until 1649.

1640s

Founding of the Accademia dei Percossi in Florence

In Florence he founded the Accademia dei Percossi — a combination of studio and salon of poets, playwrights, and painters, where satires and comedies were read at dinners.

1640s

The Satires "Music," "Poetry," "Painting," and "War"

While staying with the Maffei brothers in Volterra, he wrote four satires — Music, Poetry, Painting, and War; at the same time he painted the picture Philosophy (now in the National Gallery, London).

1647

Participation in Masaniello's Revolt

According to a widespread account, he took part in the popular uprising led by Masaniello in Naples; he painted a portrait of Masaniello and expressed sympathy for the revolt in one of his satires.