Biography

Agostino Masucci was born and trained in Rome. He painted many religious subjects for chapels and altarpieces in Rome. His classical style was based on the work of Guido Reni and Raphael. He received prestigious commissions from the courts of Turin, Spain and Portugal and he was a particular favourite of King John V of Portugal. An accomplished draughtsman, Masucci also painted many portraits. The artist's two most important pupils were the Scot, Gavin Hamilton and Pompeo Batoni, the latter overtaking him in popularity during the 1740s.