MARCONI, Rocco. – Painter, born probably in Treviso and died in Venice shortly before 13 May 1529. The first news of his activity dates to 1504, and a panel bearing his name is recorded at SS. Giovanni e Paolo in Venice, depicting the Redeemer between Sts Andrew and Peter.
The work that brought him the greatest renown and of which some dozen replicas exist (in Venice, Brescia, Rome, Berlin) and countless copies is the rich composition of the Virgin in Glory, which it was intended to preserve in the former Royal Palace of Venice. Besides a St John the Baptist between Sts Peter, Paul, Mark and Jerome in S. Cassiano in Venice, significant also for the clarity of its landscape background is the Deposition in the Accademia in Venice, believed to have been inspired, if not partly executed, by Giovanni Bellini, of whom Marconi was almost certainly a pupil. He was not insensitive to the great colouristic reform of Giorgione, but his varied and pleasing tones rather approach those of Palma the Elder. In matters of composition and form, Marconi betrays a certain conventionality and inconsistency in his stylistic conduct.