Francesco Gessi [SEP] place of death
Francesco Gessi
Francesco Gessi (20 January 1588 – 1649) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, active mainly in Bologna.
Biography.
Born to a noble family, his father noticed his attraction to the arts and placed him in the apprenticeship with Denys Calvaert. This did not last, since he apparently disturbed the other pupils. He was more successful under the tutelage of Guido Reni.
From there, he obtained commissions to fresco in Ravenna, Mantua, and also the "Capella del Tesoro"
, Francesco Maria II della Rovere's last heir died of epilepsy and the duke was forced to hand control of the Duchy of Urbino to the papacy. The new pope, Urban VIII, assigned Gessi to the territory as administrator and apostolic governor until 1627, while the pope's nephew, Taddeo Barberini took control of the duchy's income and titles. The territory was eventually annexed into the papal states.
In 1625/6, the Guido Reni painted "The Crucifixion" on commission for Gessi; this painting is a version of