Francesco Furini

Francesco Furini, born on April 10, 1603, in Florence, was an Italian Baroque artist. The son of Filippo Furini, also a painter, Francesco developed his early artistic skills within the family workshop before refining his art under the guidance of prestigious masters such as Matteo Rosselli and Giovanni Biliverti. His stay in Rome in 1619, where he collaborated with Bartolomeo Manfredi, allowed him to absorb the influences of the Caravaggesque school and Domenico Passignano.

At the age of 16, Furini worked alongside contemporaries like Lorenzo Lippi and Baldassare Franceschini. His style is characterized by a manifest sensuality and a bold use of chiaroscuro, enabling him to create captivating plays of light and texture, often inspired by classical mythology and biblical narratives.

Upon returning to Florence, Furini joined the Accademia dei pittori, where he quickly attracted the attention of noble families, including the Medici. He produced several major works for them, such as frescoes in the Palazzo Pitti. His output is distinguished by representations of languid female nudes, reflecting a refined idealism and an aesthetic quest that is both sensual and spiritual.

In 1633, the artist took religious orders and became the prior of the parish of Sant’Ansano in Mugello. However, he soon abandoned his ecclesiastical responsibilities to fully dedicate himself to his art at Villa La Petraia, where he received support from Prince Don Lorenzo de’ Medici.

Francesco Furini passed away in 1646. His artistic legacy endures through iconic works such as “Lot and His Daughters” and “Painting and Poetry,” which illustrate his ability to blend sensuality and spirituality while navigating the tensions of mannerism and the beginnings of the Baroque.