Pietro Da Cortona Biography
Pietro da Cortona (1596 - 1669), originally known by the name Pietro Berrettini, was a famous Italian painter, architect and plasterer, active during the early Baroque period. His artistic career was concentrated above all in the creation of decorative fresco and painting works.
During the papacy of Urban VIII, Pietro da Cortona established himself as one of Rome's leading architects, working alongside other great masters of the time such as Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini. Among his most significant works are the Pontifical Palace of Castel Gandolfo, designed in collaboration with Carlo Maderno, and the church of Santi Luca e Martina al Foro Romano, characterized by a Greek cross plan, designed by Pietro da Cortona himself.
His undisputed masterpiece is represented by the frescoes for the Palazzo Barberini, created in the period 1633-39. In particular, the fresco "Triumph of Divine Providence" is famous for the Melozzian perspective used by the painter, which creates an effect of depth and grandeur.
Despite the scarcity of architectural works, Pietro da Cortona significantly influenced the development of Baroque architecture, thanks to his ability to combine classical rigidity with the fluidity of decorations, typical of Florentine mannerism. Very significant examples of this attitude are the church of Santi Luca e Martina and the façade of Santa Maria della Pace, built from 1656 to 1657.
In summary, Pietro da Cortona was one of the greatest representatives of the first Italian Baroque, capable of merging the classical tradition with the new artistic trends of the time.
