Baglione, Giovanni

(c. 1566-1643)

   Roman painter and biographer, the rival of Caravaggio. Baglione began his career as a Mannerist. His most important works from this phase are the frescoes in the Capella Paolina at Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome he executed for Pope Paul V (1611-1612). In c. 1600, he changed his style to Caravaggism, in response to the demands of his patrons. In c. 1603, he painted for Benedetto Giustiniani, the Divine Love (Rome, Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica) as response to Caravaggio's Amor Vincit Omnia painted for Giustiniani's brother, Vincenzo. Caravaggio openly ridiculed Baglione's abilities as painter when the latter's Resurrection was unveiled in the Church of Il Gesú, Rome. Baglione retaliated by accusing Caravaggio of slander, and the transcripts of the trial of 1603 are still preserved. Baglione's greatest contribution to art was in writing. In 1639, he published a guide to Roman churches and, in 1642, his Vite de'pittori, scultori, e architetti [Lives of Painters, Sculptors, and Architects], two texts that offer a wealth of information on contemporary masters and commissions.