JOHN OF RIMINI. - A 14th-century painter from Rimini, often confused with Giovanni Baronzio (v.), who was also a painter from Rimini and his contemporary.
But while the stylistic foundation for a reconstruction of the figure of this second painter must be recognized in the works signed by him precisely with the name Baronzio, such as the polyptych in the Galleria nazionale of Urbino, dated 1345, for a reconstruction of the figure of G. da R. it is appropriate to start from the Crucifix in the church of S. Francesco at Mercatelle, signed Joannes de Arimino in 1344. In this case another Crucifix, coming from the Diotallevi house, today in the Pinacoteca civica of Rimini, some frescoes in the Riminese church of S. Agostino, and some panels painted in various Italian and foreign collections may also be assigned to the painter.
Unlike Giovanni Baronzio, whose stylistic ancestry, apart from a generic Giottism, is easily recognizable in the work of Giuliano da Rimini, G. da R., on a Giottesque foundation, elaborates a style that draws its essential beauty from the richness of an intense color, which harmoniously models the forms, preluding conquests that would later belong to Venetian painting. Were it possible to demonstrate that the great Crucifix of the Tempio Malatestiano must be assigned to G. da R. — which others attribute to Giotto himself, but which for many reasons is thought to be the fruit of the art of a very great master oriented in a sense analogous to G. da R. — he himself could truly be considered the major exponent of the Romagnol painting school of the 14th century.
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Emilio Lavagnino