Galerie Paul Prouté

Federico Barocci was an Italian painter born in Urbino, where he spent most of his career. Active during the late Renaissance, he developed a distinctive style rooted in the legacy of Antonio Allegri, known as Correggio, from whom he adopted the softness of modeling and luminous effects. Primarily devoted to religious painting, Barocci distinguished himself through his vibrant palette, exceptional mastery of drawing, and extensive preparatory work, consisting of numerous drawings and studies. Federico Barocci’s work marks the transition from Mannerism to the Baroque. He inherited the Mannerist tradition through the rigor of his compositions and draftsmanship, while moving away from it through his pursuit of naturalism, more direct emotional expression, and use of light and color in the service of narrative. His painting thus anticipates the major principles of Baroque aesthetics.

Barocci studied under Battista Franco (c. 1510–1561), from whom he is thought to have learned the technique of etching, although Franco left Urbino in 1554, nearly twenty years before the earliest known prints by the artist. Barocci most likely had access to the prints circulating in Italy at the time, particularly those by Parmigianino (1503–1540), whose influence is clearly evident.