Aniello Falcone

Aniello Falcone (1600-1665) was an Italian painter notable for his images of battles.

Born in Naples the son of a tradesman, he showed his artistic tendency at an early age. He first received some instruction from a relative, and then studied under José de Ribera, of whom he ranks as the most eminent pupil.

Besides battle pictures, large and small, taken from biblical as well as secular history, he painted various religious subjects, which, however, count for little in his general reputation. He became, as a battle painter, almost as celebrated as Ambrogio Borgognone, and was named L' Oracolo delle Battaglie. His works have animation, variety, truth to nature, and careful color.

Falcone was bold, generous, accustomed to arms, and an excellent fencer. In the insurrection of 1647, led by Masaniello, he resolved to be bloodily avenged for the death, at the hands of two Spaniards, of a nephew and of a pupil in the school of art which he had established in Naples. He and many of his scholars, including Salvator Rosa and Carlo Coppola, formed an armed band named the Compagnia della Morte, or Company of Death (see Salvator Rosa). They scoured the streets by day, exulting in slaughter; at night they were painters again, and handled the brush with impetuous zeal.

Peace being restored, they had to decamp. Falcone and Rosa made off to Rome; here Borgognone noticed the works of Falcone, and became his friend, and a French gentleman induced him to go to France, where Louis XIV became one of his patrons. Ultimately Jean-Baptiste Colbert obtained permission for the painter to return to Naples, and there he died in 1665.

Two of his battle-pieces are to be seen in the Louvre and in the Naples museum; he painted a portrait of Masaniello, and engraved a few plates. Among his principal scholars, besides Rosa and Coppola (whose works are sometimes ascribed to Falcone himself), were Domenico Gargiulo (named Micco Spadaro), Paolo Porpora and Andrea di Lione.