Caracci

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

LODOVICO, AGOSTINO, AND ANNIBALE (ka-rä'che), three of the first painters of Italy, kinsmen, fellow-students, and co-laborers, natives of Bologna, and founders of the Bolognese School. Lodovico, born in 1555, was placed at an early age with Prospero Fontana to tudy painting. He made such slow progress that his master dissuaded him from the pursuit; upon which he left Fontana, and thenceforth studied the works only of the great masters, for which purpose he traveled to Venice and Parma. Returning to Bologna, he found his cousins, Agostino and Annibale, born in 1560, so well inclined to his art, that he persuaded their father, a respectable tailor, to leave their education to him. Agostino, born in 1558, learned engraving from Cornelius that Cort, and attained to such excellence many of his engravings are only distinguishable from his master's by the superiority of the drawing; his works in that style are highly valued. He never practiced painting, however, with any constancy. Lodovico retained Annibale with himself. Annibale exhibited a perfect contrast to the phlegmatic calmness of Lodovico, to the accomplished fickleness of Agostino, and to the amiable mildness of both: he was rude and impatient in temper, though of so open and generous a nature that he is said to have kept his colors and his money in the same box, both of which were equally at the disposal of his scholars. Like Lodovico, he traveled about from place to place, improving himself by all that he saw, and aiming to combine in his own works the excellencies of the great works that he studied. The three opened an academy in Lodovico's studio, which became famous for the illustrious pupils whom it sent forth. The fame of the Caracci reaching Rome, Annibale was invited by Cardinal Odoardo Farnese to adorn his palace with paintings. He went, accompanied by Agostino, but their usual dissensions arose, and Annibale's intolerant devotion to labor drove away his more festive comrade. Annibale spent eight years of his life on his admirable work of the Farnese Gallery. He did little after this, and died in 1609. He was buried, according to his own desire, by the side of Raphael. Agostino died in 1602; Lodovico lived until 1619. The works of the three kinsmen are principally found in Bologna and Rome. The Farnese Gallery is considered the greatest work of Annibale. The Louvre contains "St. John the Baptist," by Lodovico, and the "Communion of St. Jerome," by Agostino, which are respectively reckoned their best works in oil.