Andrea Appiani | |
|---|---|
 Self-portrait, 1790s | |
| Born | (1754-05-31)31 May 1754 |
| Died | 8 November 1817(1817-11-08) (aged 63) |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Known for | Painting |
| Movement | Neoclassicism |
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Andrea Appiani (31 May 1754 – 8 November 1817) was an Italianneoclassical painter.
Born in Milan, it had been intended that he follow his father's career in medicine but instead entered the private academy of the painterCarlo Maria Giudici (1723–1804) where he received instruction in drawing, copying mainly from sculpture and prints. From there, he then joined the class of the fresco painterAntonio de' Giorgi, which was held at theAmbrosiana picture gallery in Milan. At the same time, he also frequented the studio ofMartin Knoller, where his knowledge of painting in oils was deepened. Also, he studied anatomy at theOspedale Maggiore in Milan with the sculptorGaetano Monti.
Appiani's interest in aesthetic issues was stimulated by the classical poetGiuseppe Parini, whom he drew in two fine pencil portraits. In 1776 he entered theBrera Academy of Fine Arts to follow the painting courses ofGiulio Traballesi, receiving a mastery of the fresco technique. Among his masterpieces are the frescoes depicting the four evangelists and doctors of the church that he painted for the cupola and pendentives for the church ofSanta Maria presso San Celso in 1795[1] and the fresco withThe Parnassus, representing Apollo and the Muses, on the ceiling of the dining room ofRoyal Villa of Milan. Another masterpiece are the frescoes depictingAllegories of Virtues and others honoring Napoleon in the rooms of theRoyal Palace of Milan.[2]
Although created a pensioned artist to theKingdom of Italy byNapoleon, Appiani lost his allowance after the fall of the Kingdom in 1814 and fell into poverty.During his period ascourt painter he rendered portraits of Napoleon and the chief personages of his regime, among the most graceful of which are his oil paintingsVenus and Love, andRinaldo in the garden of Armida. He is known as "the elder", to distinguish him from his great-nephew Andrea Appiani, an historical painter inRome.[3]
Appiani painted a large canvas of theEncounter of Rachel and Jacob for a church inAlzano. The Brera has a fresco by Appiani representing Olympus.
He died at Milan in 1817. Among his pupils areAntonio De Antoni,Carlo Prajer,Angelo Monticelli, andGiuseppe Bossi.[4]
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This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Appiani, Andrea".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 2 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 222.