Pietro da Cortona

Pietro Berrettini was born on November 1, 1596, in Cortona, Tuscany, into an artisan family of stonemasons. Moving to Rome around 1612, Cortona studied antique statuary and the frescoes of Raphael and Polidoro da Caravaggio, earning the patronage of the wealthy Sacchetti family and Cardinal Francesco Barberini.

Between 1633 and 1639, Cortona executed his undisputed ceiling fresco masterpiece in the Grand Salone of the Palazzo Barberini in Rome: 'Allegory of Divine Providence and Barberini Power'. The breathtaking illusionistic fresco dissolved the stone vault into an open celestial sky swarming with dynamic figures, flying draperies, and radiant golden light, defining High Baroque illusionism (quadratura).

As an architect, Cortona designed the stunning church of Santi Luca e Martina in the Roman Forum and the dramatic convex facade of Santa Maria della Pace. He was elected director (Principe) of the Accademia di San Luca in 1634, passing away in Rome in May 1669.