1708–1787
Pompeo Girolamo Batoni was a celebrated Italian painter, renowned for his portraits of European nobility, especially those traveling through Italy on the Grand Tour. Born in Lucca, Batoni initially apprenticed in Rome and gained early recognition for his religious works. However, his fame skyrocketed with his Grand Tour portraits, which featured British aristocrats posed against classical Italian landscapes and ruins.
Batoni’s style, influenced by classical antiquity, French Rococo, and the works of Raphael and Poussin, made him a precursor to Neoclassicism. His refined technique and ability to capture the dignity and elegance of his subjects earned him commissions from European royalty, including Holy Roman Emperors Joseph II and Leopold II.
Though a contemporary of Anton Raphael Mengs, Batoni was praised for his natural artistic talent, while Mengs was seen as more philosophical. Batoni’s portraits were highly influential, helping establish the genre in British art collections and inspiring future painters like Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Batoni continued painting until his later years, when declining health slowed him down. He died in Rome in 1787, leaving behind a legacy as one of the finest portraitists of his time. His works, which blend elegance and classical beauty, remain housed in major collections worldwide.
