Simone Cantarini
Simone Cantarini, often called Il Pesarese, possessed a temperament as sharp as his etching needle. Despite being the most gifted pupil of the Bolognese master Guido Reni, his difficult personality led to a public break with his mentor. He once openly mocked Reni's technique in front of other students, an act of defiance that forced him to leave Bologna for his native Pesaro. This rebellious streak defined his career, as he constantly sought to outshine the established masters of the seventeenth-century Baroque movement.
Biography
His approach focused on the physical weight and human presence of his subjects. In works like Adam and Eve or Verleiding van Adam, he moved away from the idealised grace of the Reni school to embrace a more naturalistic style. His etchings, such as Saint John the Baptist Preaching, show a preference for clear lines and balanced compositions. He often used sketches, including Schetsblad met verschillende composities, to study the anatomy of hands and facial expressions with precision. This focus on anatomical accuracy gave his religious scenes a sense of tangible reality.
Modern collectors value Cantarini for his technical skill and the psychological depth of his figures. His prints, such as Maria met Kind en vogel or Rest on the Flight into Egypt, offer a quiet intimacy that fits well in contemporary interiors. The work avoids the heavy ornamentation of later Baroque periods, favouring a clean aesthetic that remains relevant. These pieces provide a connection to the classical tradition of Italian art while maintaining a directness that appeals to current tastes in fine art prints.
Notable Works
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Simone Cantarini prints
Hand-finished archival prints from Simone Cantarini's body of work.
Christ Falling Under the Weight of the Cross - Simone Cantarini
From £28.00
The Coronation of the Virgin on a Crescent Moon - Simone Cantarini
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Madonna and Child with a Bird - Simone Cantarini
From £28.00
The Holy Family with the Young Saint John the Baptist - Simone Cantarini
From £28.00
Rest on the Flight into Egypt - Simone Cantarini
From £28.00
Coronation of the Virgin - Simone Cantarini
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See all Simone Cantarini prints →Frequently Asked Questions
When was Simone Cantarini born?
Simone Cantarini was born in 1612 and died in 1648.What is Simone Cantarini known for?
Simone Cantarini is known for simone Cantarini was a rebellious seventeenth-century Italian painter and etcher whose works combine the naturalism of the Baroque movement with a refined, anatomical precision.