Andrea Celesti
Encyclopedia
Andrea Celesti was an Italian
painter of the Baroque
period, working in Venice
. His style gravitated over the years from a turgid and academic weightiness to a lighter, looser brushstroke.
.
He first trained with Matteo Ponzoni, then with Sebastiano Mazzoni
. During his early years (1659–1669) he worked in Venice, both in sundry labors for Doge's palace, and frescoes for the main salon of the Palazzo Erizzo. In 1676, he was painted doge Nicolò Sagredo
’s portrait for the Sala dello Scrutinio in Ducal Palace. For the same site, in 1680, he painted canvases of Moses destroys the golden calf. In 1681, he was awarded the title of Cavalieri by Doge Alvise Contarini
. In 1684, he helped in the decoration of San Zaccaria. Some sources claim he joined a "collegio" for Venetian painters in 1687; perhaps this reflects that in 1708, he joined the Fraglia or guild of Venetian painters.
Legend holds Celesti, after a yearly public exhibition in the piazza San Marco, had to flee Venice when he angered Doge Contarini, when he displayed the Doge with a donkey’s ears of a donkey. He was then protected by his future patron Scipione Delaj and relocated inland. In about 1685, after some painting in Rovigo
, he established a studio in Brescia
.
For the Delaj family, starting in 1688, Celesti and his studio began painting a series of religious canvases for the Cathedral of Peter and Paul in Toscolano
on the shores of Lake Garda
. The initial canvases included the Vocation of Paul and Andrew, St. Paul liberated from prison, the Death of Simon Magus, the Keys given to St. Peter, a Martyrdom of Saints, the Miraculous Draught of Fishes, St. Peter heals the sick. He painted the canvases of the presbitery including an Annunciation, Adoration by Magi and Adoration by the Shepherds. In 1700, he returned to Toscolano to paint a Massacre of the Innocents for the space behind the facade. In 1708, he returned to paint for the chorus, Evangelists in the lunettes and an Exaltation of the Eucharist.
He also painted canvases for the church of Limone
, the Sanctuary of Montecastello at Tignale
, and the churches of San Francesco, and San Martino at Gargnano
. He painted frescoes for the Palazzo Bettoni in Brescia.
In 1689 he decorated a room in the palazzo Delay. In 1696 in Treviso
, Celesti painted the Last Judgement and the Death of Simon Magus. In the Castle of San Giusto in Trieste
, a large ceiling painting with the Allegory of Venice is attributed to him. In other works, he painted altarpieces at Lonato
(1690–93 and Desenzano. By 1700 Celesti was back in Venice, where he set up his studio. He painted frescoes for Ville Rinaldi Barbini (1705–07). For the Basilica di San Lorenzo in Verolanuova
, Celesti Painted a Birth of the Virgin and an Assumption (c. 1707).
Andrea Celesti’s pupil included Albert Calvetti.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
painter of the Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
period, working in Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
. His style gravitated over the years from a turgid and academic weightiness to a lighter, looser brushstroke.
Biography
Celesti was born in Venice and is buried in ToscolanoToscolano-Maderno
Toscolano-Maderno is a town and comune on the West coast of Lake Garda, in the province of Brescia, in the region of Lombardy, in Italy. It is located c. 40 km from Brescia....
.
He first trained with Matteo Ponzoni, then with Sebastiano Mazzoni
Sebastiano Mazzoni
Sebastiano Mazzoni was an Italian painter of the Baroque period.Born in Florence, he trained in that city during 1632-33 in the studio of Baccio del Bianco. He then moved to Venice in 1648, and stayed there till his death. He painted a somewhat unusual Annunciation with a hovering ghostly angel...
. During his early years (1659–1669) he worked in Venice, both in sundry labors for Doge's palace, and frescoes for the main salon of the Palazzo Erizzo. In 1676, he was painted doge Nicolò Sagredo
Nicolò Sagredo
Nicolò Sagredo was the 105th Doge of Venice, reigning from February 6, 1675 until his death less than two years later...
’s portrait for the Sala dello Scrutinio in Ducal Palace. For the same site, in 1680, he painted canvases of Moses destroys the golden calf. In 1681, he was awarded the title of Cavalieri by Doge Alvise Contarini
Contarini
Contarini is an illustrious Venetian family, which furnished eight Doges to the Republic of Venice, as well as an array of eminent figures of the Church, statecraft, generalship, art, and letters.- Notable members :* Domenico I Contarini Contarini is an illustrious Venetian family, which furnished...
. In 1684, he helped in the decoration of San Zaccaria. Some sources claim he joined a "collegio" for Venetian painters in 1687; perhaps this reflects that in 1708, he joined the Fraglia or guild of Venetian painters.
Legend holds Celesti, after a yearly public exhibition in the piazza San Marco, had to flee Venice when he angered Doge Contarini, when he displayed the Doge with a donkey’s ears of a donkey. He was then protected by his future patron Scipione Delaj and relocated inland. In about 1685, after some painting in Rovigo
Rovigo
Rovigo is a town and comune in the Veneto region of North-Eastern Italy, the capital of the eponymous province. -Geography:...
, he established a studio in Brescia
Brescia
Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...
.
For the Delaj family, starting in 1688, Celesti and his studio began painting a series of religious canvases for the Cathedral of Peter and Paul in Toscolano
Toscolano-Maderno
Toscolano-Maderno is a town and comune on the West coast of Lake Garda, in the province of Brescia, in the region of Lombardy, in Italy. It is located c. 40 km from Brescia....
on the shores of Lake Garda
Lake Garda
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It is located in Northern Italy, about half-way between Brescia and Verona, and between Venice and Milan. Glaciers formed this alpine region at the end of the last ice age...
. The initial canvases included the Vocation of Paul and Andrew, St. Paul liberated from prison, the Death of Simon Magus, the Keys given to St. Peter, a Martyrdom of Saints, the Miraculous Draught of Fishes, St. Peter heals the sick. He painted the canvases of the presbitery including an Annunciation, Adoration by Magi and Adoration by the Shepherds. In 1700, he returned to Toscolano to paint a Massacre of the Innocents for the space behind the facade. In 1708, he returned to paint for the chorus, Evangelists in the lunettes and an Exaltation of the Eucharist.
He also painted canvases for the church of Limone
Limone
-Communes in Italy:*Limone Piemonte, in the province of Cuneo*Limone sul Garda, in the province of Brescia...
, the Sanctuary of Montecastello at Tignale
Tignale
Tignale is a comune in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, Italy. The crest is checkered with white, red on the left and black on the bottom-right with a golden animal in the middle....
, and the churches of San Francesco, and San Martino at Gargnano
Gargnano
Gargnano is a town and comune in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy.The municipal territory includes the artificial Valvestino Lake, created in 1962....
. He painted frescoes for the Palazzo Bettoni in Brescia.
In 1689 he decorated a room in the palazzo Delay. In 1696 in Treviso
Treviso
Treviso is a city and comune in Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Treviso and the municipality has 82,854 inhabitants : some 3,000 live within the Venetian walls or in the historical and monumental center, some 80,000 live in the urban center proper, while the city...
, Celesti painted the Last Judgement and the Death of Simon Magus. In the Castle of San Giusto in Trieste
Trieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
, a large ceiling painting with the Allegory of Venice is attributed to him. In other works, he painted altarpieces at Lonato
Lonato
Lonato del Garda is a town and comune in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, Italy. Lonato is located in the middle of northern Italy, about half way between Milan and Venice, on the south-west shore of Lake Garda, the biggest lake in Italy.The commune is bordered by those of near Castiglione...
(1690–93 and Desenzano. By 1700 Celesti was back in Venice, where he set up his studio. He painted frescoes for Ville Rinaldi Barbini (1705–07). For the Basilica di San Lorenzo in Verolanuova
Verolanuova
Verolanuova is a comune in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, northern Italy.-External links:*...
, Celesti Painted a Birth of the Virgin and an Assumption (c. 1707).
Andrea Celesti’s pupil included Albert Calvetti.