Antonio Pietro Zucchi

Born 1 May 1726, in Venice; died 26 December 1795, in Rome.

Painter, engraver, draughtsman. History painting, mythological subjects, genre scenes, architectural views.

Venetian School.

Antonio Pietro Francesco Zucchi was the son of Francesco Zucchi and a pupil of his uncle Carlo. He also worked on history painting with Fontebasso and Amigoni. He travelled widely in Italy with the Adam brothers, the English architects and interior decorators, between 1750 and 1760. He then went to London where he became an associate of the Royal Academy in 1770 and exhibited there from that date until 1784. In 1781 he married Angelica Kauffmann and together they moved to Rome, where he later died.

While in Italy he made drawings of ruins and ancient monuments. During his London period he decorated various buildings belonging to the English aristocracy, painting the ceilings at Osterley Park, Caen Wood and Luton Hoo, for example. He collaborated with his wife in the decoration of Home House in London, built by Robert Adam. His 1756 painting The Way of the Cross shows the influence of Guardi. Brought up in the Venetian tradition, Antonio Zucchi returned to the European Neo-Classical style.

"ZUCCHI, Antonio Pietro Francesco." In Benezit Dictionary of Artists. Oxford Art Online, http://www.oxfordartonline.com.proxy.lib.fsu.edu/subscriber/article/benezit/B00202531 (accessed April 16, 2012).