Saint Luke — Giovanni Lanfranco

Saint Luke


Giovanni Lanfranco (1582 - 1647)

Explore Giovanni Lanfranco (1582-1647), a leading Baroque painter famed for dynamic frescoes & theatrical style. Discover his masterpieces & Correggio influence!

Musei Civici di Palazzo Farnese (Piacenza, Italy)

Explore the Musei Civici di Palazzo Farnese in Piacenza, Italy! Discover 500 years of history with masterpieces like Botticelli's "Tondo," ancient artifacts (the Liver of Piacenza!), and a unique carriage collection. A cultural gem awaits!

This painting shows the short stay of the artist in Piacenza, after his long activity in Rome (1602-1610). As all the painters who work in the dukedoms of Emilia, Lanfranco was influenced by Correggio’s lessons, visible in the angel clinging to the clouds on the top right. The icon of the Virgin Mary alludes to the legend according to which Luke depicted the Virgin when she was still alive. The calf/ox, destined to sacrifices, is the symbol of Saint Luke’s priesthood and of his activity as evangelist.