Angelo Maria Crivelli, Il Crivellone Paintings


Angelo Maria Crivelli, known as Il Crivellone, was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, active mainly in Milan and its surrounding areas. Born in Milan in 1660, he became a prominent painter in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Crivelli's work is characterized by dynamic compositions, vigorous brushwork, and a vivid color palette, which were typical of the Baroque style.

Crivelli was not related to the earlier Venetian painters with the same surname, but he did inherit the nickname 'Il Crivellone' which distinguished him from other artists. He was a student of Ercole Procaccini the Younger, and his style was also influenced by Daniele Crespi and Giulio Cesare Procaccini. Through these influences, Crivelli developed a distinctive style that blended the intensity of naturalistic detail with the dramatic use of light and shadow, a technique known as chiaroscuro.

During his career, Crivelli painted a number of altarpieces and frescoes for churches in Lombardy. His religious works often featured saints and biblical scenes depicted with a sense of immediacy and emotional engagement. He was also known for his portraits, where his skill at capturing the likeness and personality of his subjects was highly regarded.

Despite his success, there is relatively little documentation on Crivelli's life, and he is less known today compared to his contemporaries. He died in 1730, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be appreciated for its contribution to the Baroque movement in Northern Italy. His paintings can still be found in various churches and collections, providing a testament to his artistic legacy.