This artist who is scarcely known today, at the beginning of the XVII century was considered to be the greatest Roman painter. He was thought of as a child prodigy, who at the age of thirteen, independently completed paiting commissions. On top of that he was, as his contemporaries claimed, “clever, humorous and broad-minded”, while Pope Gregory XIII was so fascinated with his art, that he granted him a monthly salary. He was also a favorite of Pope Clement VIII, who entrusted him with the prestigious task of decorating the transept of the Basilica of St. John in the Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano).

In 1604 the painter purchased a palace at via del Corso, in which for 3 thousand scudos he organized a theatre and led a truly lavish lifestyle.  What it looked like is described, not without jealousy, by another painter Tommaso d’Alessandri: “Horses in stables, male and female servants dressed in rich garments made of beautiful materials, while he wears a magnificent necklace around his neck, on a muscular finger enameled rings with beautifully inserted diamonds (…) large buttons, lace collars and exquisite jewels (…) tables filled with all the beautiful gifts of the Lord”. It is nothing strange that he attracted the attention of tax collectors. The luck of Cavaliere d’Arpino, as the painter was referred to, ran out during the pontificate of Paul V, when accused of financial fraud he was forced to give up his collection of art. It was at that time given over to the papal nephew, a well-known collector of art – Scipione Borghese.

The painter was buried in a representative tomb (with a bust) in the passage into the sacristy of the Lateran basilica.

Here are some of the many works of Cavaliere d’Arpino which can be found in Roman churches and art galleries:

• The Life of St. Stephen in the Church of San Silvestro al Quirinale
• Frescos in the Olgiati Chapel in the Church of Santa Prassede
• Frescos (1600) in the transept of the Basilica San Giovanni in Laterano
• Frescos in the Pauline Chapel (Cappella Paolina) (1600) in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore
• Frescos in the Contarelli Chapel in the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi
• Lunette frescos in the cloisters of the monastery in the Church of Sant’Onofrio – the life of St. Onuphrius
• Two paintings (The Birth of the Virgin and The Death of the Virgin) in the presbytery of the Church of Santa Maria di Loreto
• The Coronation of the Virgin (1617) in the transept of the Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella
• The Passion of Christ in the sacristy of the Church of San Carlo ai Catinari

Galleria Borghese

• Christ Taken Prisoner (1597)
• The Rest on the Flight into Egypt (1595)
• The Rape of Europa (1593)

Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica – Palazzo Corsini

• Raising of Lazarus (1592)

Musei Capitolini(Capitoline Museums)

• Frescos in the Palace of the Conservators – scenes from the history of Rome (an effect of nearly 40 years of work)
• Diane The Huntress (1601–1603)

Accademia di San Luca

• The Rape of Europa (1606)
• Perseus and Andromeda