The Sacrifice of Abraham

1618

Leaves Rome for Bologna and Fano

In 1618 (by other accounts 1617) Domenichino left Rome: in Bologna he painted the altarpiece of the Madonna of the Rosary, then settled in Fano, where in 1618–19 he frescoed the Nolfi chapel of the cathedral with scenes from the life of the Virgin.

April, between 1618 and 1621

Marries Marsibilia Barbetti

After settling in Fano, Domenichino returned to Bologna in April to marry Marsibilia Barbetti.

1 April 1621

Appointed architect of the Apostolic Chamber

With the election of the Bolognese pope Gregory XV Domenichino returned to Rome, and on 1 April 1621 he was appointed architect general of the Apostolic Chamber. He built little, leaving designs for the façade of Sant’Andrea della Valle and the plan of Sant’Ignazio, and remained above all a painter, winning commissions for altarpieces in Roman churches.

1629

Elected head of the Accademia di San Luca

Domenichino’s fame as a painter in Rome led to his election in 1629 as principe (president) of the Accademia di San Luca.

1630

Moves to Naples for the Chapel of San Gennaro

On 23 March 1630, in a letter sent to Naples, Domenichino accepted the appointment to the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro in the cathedral, and in June he moved to Naples (by other accounts he left Rome in 1631 for this most prestigious and very lucrative commission).