Caracci, or CARRACCI, a celebrated family of Italian painters, the founders of the Bolognese school of painting.
LUDOVICO CARACCI, the son of a butcher, was born at Bologna in 1555. As a student he was so inapt that his master recommended him to abandon the pursuit; but instead of that, he went to Venice and Parma, making acquaintance with the works of the great masters there, and returned to Bologna imbued with art principles quite opposed to the superficial mannerism then prevailing in his native city. In conjunction with two of his cousins, who, instructed by him, had imbibed the same ideas, he founded, in spite of great opposition, the Eclectic school which afterwards became so famous in the history of painting. The first principle of this new school was that 'observation of nature ought to be combined with imitation of the best masters.' The allied artists found numerous pupils, to whom they gave practical instructions in drawing from natural and artistic models, with theoretical lessons on perspective, anatomy, &c. So great was their success that in the course of a short time all other schools of painting were closed in Bologna. Some of the finest works of this master are preserved at Bologna—among others, the 'Madonna and Child Throned,' 'Madonna and Child Standing,' the 'Transfiguration,' and the 'Nativity of St John the Baptist.' He also engraved and etched a few of his own designs. Ludovico died in 1619.
AGOSTINO CARACCI, cousin of Ludovico, was born (1558) in Bologna. He became a disciple of his cousin, but he was of too versatile a genius to devote himself closely to any subject, though his magnificent painting of the 'Communion of St Jerome,' painted for the Certosa of Bologna, now in the gallery of that city, proves that he might have attained to very great eminence had he devoted his undivided attention to the art; but he was in the habit of abandoning his easel for literature, poetry, and engraving on copper. As an engraver, indeed, he holds an important position in Italian art. He accompanied his younger brother Annibale to Rome, and there assisted in some of the paintings in the Farnese Gallery; but his brother, who was a slave to his art, soon quarrelled with him for his inattention, and he left Rome, and went to Parma, where he died in 1602. As an engraver he ranks very high for his correctness of design and skill of execution.
ANNIBALE CARACCI, brother of Agostino, was born (1560) in Bologna, where he learned, under his father, the business of a tailor, from which he was called away by Ludovico Caracci. His progress in the study of painting was rapid, and at first he took principally for his models Correggio, Titian, and Paul Veronese. His picture of 'St Roche distributing Alms' first gained for Annibale Caracci a wide reputation. His fame reached Rome, and he was employed to paint the Farnese Gallery there, which is considered his greatest work, and the manner of which partakes somewhat of Raphael and Correggio. On this gallery he was employed some four years, and he received for his work the incredibly paltry sum of 500 crowns. After a visit to Naples he died in Rome in 1609, where his remains were interred, close to Raphael's tomb, in the Pantheon. His most celebrated easel- picture is the 'Three Maries,' formerly in the Orleans collection, now at Castle Howard. Annibale Caracci was one of the greatest followers of Correggio, and in composition approached most nearly to the style of Raphael. Ludovico had a greater talent in teaching, and Agostino had a more versatile invention, but Annibale was unquestionably the greatest artist of the three Caracci.
ANTONIO MARZIALE CARACCI (1583-1618), natural son of Agostino, was a pupil under Annibale, and painted some excellent pictures.
FRANCESCO (styled FRANCESCHINO) CARACCI, nephew of Agostino and Annibale, was born in 1595, and distinguished himself as an eminent designer. He died 1622.—The best Italian masters of the 17th century—Domenichino, Guido Reni, Albani, and others—proceeded from the school of the Caracci.