Jacopo Amigoni

Jacopo Amigoni painted in the light, pastel key of the Rococo: soft pinks and blues, gods lounging on clouds, and graceful figures who seem to float rather than stand. His religious and mythological scenes have an easy charm, and his portraits were wanted all over Europe.

Born in Naples in 1682, he started his career in Venice and then travelled constantly. He worked in Bavaria for the Elector, including at Nymphenburg and Schleissheim, spent most of the 1730s in England decorating houses and a ceiling at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, then returned to Italy. He ended as court painter in Madrid, where he died in 1752. He painted the singer Farinelli several times and is said to have persuaded Canaletto to try his luck in England.

In a scene like Jael and Sisera, notice how even a violent story is told with soft colour and elegant poses.