I. Taddeo, An Italian Painter

An Italian Painter Taddeo, born in the duchy of Urbino in 1529, died in Rome, Sept. 2, 1566. As a boy he was employed as a color grinder at Rome, and at the age of 18 established his reputation as a fresco painter. He executed many works on a considerable scale, of which the most celebrated are a series of frescoes in the palace at Caprarola illustrating the glories of the Farnese family, and which were engraved in 45 plates by Prenner (fol., Rome, 1748-50). He was much employed by the duke of Urbino and Popes Julius III. and Paul IV. His popularity, according to Lanzi, is explained by the fact that he never painted anything which could not be readily understood.

II. Federigo

Federigo, an Italian painter, brother of the preceding, born in the duchy of Urbino about 1543, died in Ancona in 1609. His first notable work, in the cupola of the Florence cathedral, was remarkable only for its size. In Rome he was employed in the Pauline chapel of the Vatican; but by caricaturing some of the papal courtiers he incurred the pope's displeasure, and subsequently worked in Flanders, and painted portraits of Queen Elizabeth and others in England. In Venice he was knighted on account of his embellishment of the grand council hall, after which he ventured to return to Rome to finish his frescoes there. Subsequently he was employed by Philip II. in the Escurial; but his works were expunged after his dismissal, though the king gave him a handsome compensation. He afterward practised his art while travelling in Italy from one town to another, founded the academy of St. Luke in Rome in 1595, and was engaged in excavations. He was also known as a sculptor, poet, and architect, and wrote L'Idea de1 pittori, scultori ed architetti.

He finished the Farnese frescoes in the palace of Caprarola and other works of his brother Taddeo.