Aniello Falcone

Aniello ( Angelo ) Falcone (* November 15, 1607 in Naples, † after July 14, 1656 ) was an Italian painter and engraver. According to some sources he was born in the year 1600.

Life

Falcone was a pupil of the painter Jusepe de Ribera, called Lo Spagnoletto. Later he was as an artist in his hometown down and opened a studio, which soon grew into a veritable school of painting.

As in 1647 against the Spanish foreign rule erupted a popular uprising led by the fisherman Tomaso Aniello, known as Masaniello, to Falcone joined with students and other artists this. Under the name della morte Campagnia they carried out assassinations and attacks, which were brutal but rewarded by the Spanish occupation forces. After the bloody suppression of the revolt Falcone fled to France, but returned after a few years back to Naples. At the age of 65 years died Aniello Falcone 1665 in Naples.

Among his students Salvator Rosa, Paolo Porpora and Andrea di Lione.

Assessment

Falcone especially painted battle scenes and gained thereby the name of an oracle of the battles ( Oracolo delle Battaglie ). In his rare paintings, there is great vitality; the drawing is considered to be correct and the color as appealing. His engravings are treated as light and witty. Some of his paintings are in the Prado in Madrid. Together with Salvator Rosa was the founder of Falcone battle painting as a realistic representation of an act of war, and the most important model for Jacques Courtois. He is considered the first Italian painter, the fictitious battle scenes in contemporary costume, created without heroize a central figure.

Works (selection)

• Preparation of the battle with Spanish soldiers, oil on canvas 96 × 155 cm, private collection