The Adoration of the Magi

Anthony Clark, in the first article devoted to Pietro Bianchi, enthused that the artist was 'the most gifted and intelligent of Roman 18th century painters'. He goes on to lament that Bianchi has 'escaped modern critics [...]. Considering the quality involved this is a pity, for Bianchi at least equals his better known contemporaries (Constanzi, Masucci, Mancini) (A.M. Clark, 'Introduction to Pietro Bianchi', Paragone, 169, January 1964, pp. 42-3). A pupil of Gian Battista Gaulli, il Baciccio, he later joined the workshop of the great colourist Benedetto Luti, and soon became the latter's favourite pupil. Bianchi quickly created a distinctive style, combining the graceful and aristocratic manners of Luto with the delicate chiaroscuro of Trevisani, as well as showing an awareness of the art of Pompeo Batoni. He received a number of commissions from Roman churches, private collectors, the artistocracy and English Grand Tourists.