Biography

Reni was probably one of the most successful and sought-after Italian painters of his time, although he was notoriously difficult and temperamental. His paintings combine elegant and graceful figures with naturalistic details and textures. He was born in Bologna and trained first with the Flemish artist Denys Calvaert, and then with the Carracci. Reni moved to Rome in 1601 where he established his reputation through a variety of commissions, including frescoes, altarpieces and easel paintings. On his return to Bologna in 1614 he continued to work for eminent Italian and foreign patrons.