Orazio Gentileschi

Born the son of a Tuscan goldsmith, he moved to Rome in his teens and adopted the surname 'Gentileschi' from an uncle to start his career.¹

Around 1600, he was influenced by Caravaggio's naturalism, but later developed a personal style characterized by lighter colors and precise detail.¹

In 1603, he was sued for libel alongside Caravaggio for circulating unflattering poems about a rival artist in Rome.¹

Following Caravaggio, he painted directly from live models, sometimes reusing studies of the same model for different paintings over a decade later.¹

In 1612, he testified in court against his collaborator Agostino Tassi, who was charged with the rape of Orazio's daughter, Artemisia.¹

Moving to Genoa in 1621, he produced masterpieces like 'Danaë' and 'Lot and his Daughters' for powerful patrons such as the Sauli family.¹

After serving Marie de' Medici in Paris, he moved to England in 1626 to become a court painter for Charles I, remaining there until his death.¹

His style during the English period became more elegant, artificial, and restrained, moving away from his earlier naturalistic intensity.¹