Sebastiano Ricci (Italian, 1659–1734)

Sebastiano Ricci was born in Belluno, Veneto, Italy.¹

AugSebastiano Ricci was born in Belluno, Italy on August 1, 1659, and died in Venice on May 15, 1734.¹

Sebastiano Ricci was apprenticed to Federico Cervelli of Venice in 1671.¹

In 1678, an indiscretion at a young age resulted in an unintended pregnancy, and later, a bigger scandal when Ricci was charged with trying to poison the young woman in question to avoid marriage.¹

In 1682, Sebastiano Ricci was commissioned by the 'Fraternity of Saint John of Florence' to paint a 'Decapitation of John the Baptist' for their oratory.¹

Apparently in 1688, Ricci abandoned his wife and daughter, and fled from Bologna to Turin.¹

Sebastiano Ricci married the mother of his child in 1691, although it was a stormy union.¹

In 1701, the Venetian geographer Vincenzo Coronelli commissioned a canvas of the Ascension to be inserted into the ceiling of the sacristy of the Basilica of the Santi Apostoli in Rome.¹

In the summer of 1706, he traveled to Florence, where he completed a work that is by many considered his masterpieces.¹

MaySebastiano Ricci was admitted to the Royal French Academy of Painting and Sculpture on May 18, 1718.¹

Sebastiano Ricci created 'The Adoration of the Kings' in 1726, which is part of the Royal Collection.¹

MaySebastiano Ricci died in Venice, Republic of Venice.¹