Franceschini, Marcantonio

FRANCESCHINI, MARCANTONIO. - Painter, b. in Bologna on 5 April 1648 and d. there on 24 December 1729. A pupil of Galli-Bibiena and then of Cignani, he was prince of the Accademia Clementina and had a very flourishing school in Bologna.

He worked, besides in his native city, in Genoa, Modena, Reggio, Piacenza and other cities, continuing Cignani's manner and lavishing everywhere his skill as a decorator. He was also in Rome for two years, where he provided some cartoons for the mosaics of St. Peter's. His most celebrated work is, in Bologna, the decoration of the dome and the vault of the church of the «Corpus Domini», executed in collaboration with the quadraturista E. Hoffner; among his other works are remembered: in his native city the decoration of the tribune of S. Bartolomeo and in Piacenza the pendentives of the dome in the Cathedral. He also decorated in Genoa the great vault of the hall of the public Council, later destroyed by fire, but which Lanzi recalls as much admired by Menga. Among his paintings, the Self-Portrait and Love Victorious are in the Uffizi; in the Pinacoteca of Bologna a Holy Family, a Virgin with Child and an Annunciation, works all (like the many scattered in the churches) that betray a mannerist weariness and a consummate academic skill.