Ludovico Carracci

Ludovico Carracci (1555-1619) has long been underestimated. Celebrated as the uncontested head of the Bolognese school by Malvasia in Felsina Pittrice, several of his paintings have been confused with works by Caravaggio and by his cousin and pupil Annibale Carracci, whose fame has eclipsed his. The reconstruction of his oeuvre (both paintings and drawings) in the last twenty years has allowed art historians to restore him to his proper place in the development of modern painting. Around 1590 his initially naturalistic approach, based on a neo-mannerist heritage, develops into a totally original language of stylised elegance and measured expressionism. Draughtsmanship is fundamental to Ludovico's creative process. The variety of techniques, inventiveness and dynamism in composition give his graphic work an uncommon appeal, much appreciated in the eighteenth century by the greatest collectors. The Louvre collection holds many of his masterpieces.Loisel, Catherine is the author of 'Ludovico Carracci', published 2004 under ISBN 9788874391295 and ISBN 8874391293.