Carlo Innocenzo Carlone

Carlo Innocenzo Carlone (1686-1775) was an Italian painter and decorator, best known for his decorative frescoes that adorn numerous churches and palaces in Italy and Austria. Born in Scaria, a small village in the province of Como, Carlone came from a family of artists: his father, Giovanni Battista Carlone, was a renowned sculptor and architect.

Carlone initially trained in Venice, where he studied painting and developed his Baroque style, characterized by a vivid use of color, dynamic composition, and great skill in rendering movement and emotion in his subjects. Later, he moved to Vienna, where he became one of the most sought-after artists at the Habsburg court.

His most famous works include the frescoes in the Belvedere Palace and Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, as well as in the churches of Saint Ignatius and Saint Charles Borromeo in Innsbruck. Carlone was renowned for his ability to create perspective illusions, making his frescoes particularly impressive and engaging.

In addition to frescoes, Carlone also painted canvases, altarpieces, and works on mythological and religious themes. His style influenced many contemporary and later artists, significantly contributing to the development of Baroque art in Central Europe.

Carlo Innocenzo Carlone's career was long and prolific. He died in his hometown of Scaria in 1775, leaving behind an important artistic legacy.