Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (1591 - 1666) was born in Cento, Ferrara, Italy. Since he was cross-eyed or guercio, he was nicknamed Guercino. He was born in poverty and was basically self-taught, though he had an opportunity and served an apprenticeship. He was profoundly influenced by emotion of the Holy Family of Lodovico Carracci with Saint Francisin Bologna. He was also influenced by the family’s colorism and Lodovico himself encouraged him. From 1614 to 1621 he worked for Pope Gregory XV in Rome. With Caravaggio's and Lodovico's works pointing the way, the artist was able to bring his viewers into the painting's space, adding greater emotional intensity and dramatic lights and darks. Francesco Barbieri was also a draftsman and he was active in Bologna and Rome. The energetic naturalism of his early works is in contrast to the conventional equilibrium of his later works of art.
His many drawings are noted for their lively style and luminosity. Throughout his career, his technique underwent dramatic changes. For example, while In Rome he first felt compelled to paint in the popular classicizing style, but when he returned to Cento 2 years later, his strong movement disappeared, dark shadows faded, and details emerged distinctly in clear light. To satisfy as many people as possible, especially those who wanted his paintings and had the money to pay for them, he produced the paintings in the lighter style. He ran his studio in Cento for awhile, and then decided to move to Bologna where he took over the religious picture workshop of Reni and his role as the leading painter in the city.
