Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called il Guercino

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as il Guercino ('the squint-eyed'), was one of the most prolific and celebrated Italian Baroque painters of the 17th century. Born in Cento near Ferrara, he developed a dramatically expressive style influenced by the Carracci and Caravaggio, characterized by bold chiaroscuro, rich color, and dynamic compositions. His vast output encompassed altarpieces, mythological scenes, and portraits, and he eventually succeeded Guido Reni as the leading painter in Bologna.