Ricci was imprisoned for attempting to poison a woman he had made pregnant. The episode, in 1678, was the first in a turbulent personal life that also included fleeing Bologna with another painter's daughter. Despite all this, he became one of the most internationally sought-after decorative painters in Europe, working in Florence, England, Flanders, France and Germany before settling permanently in Venice in 1717.
Key facts
Biography
He was born in Belluno in 1659 and trained under Federico Cervelli. His bright, airy palette built on Paolo Veronese's legacy and bridged the late Baroque and Rococo, directly paving the way for Tiepolo. His ceiling frescoes combine theatrical staging with luminous colour in compositions that move at speed across large surfaces.
He worked in England from 1711 to 1716, painting ceilings and altarpieces that introduced Venetian Baroque decoration to British interiors. He died in Venice in 1734, at seventy-four.
His turbulent biography sits oddly alongside the luminous, airborne quality of his ceilings, which show no trace of the disorder below. Veronese's spirit, filtered through Ricci's temperament, produced some of the most joyful decorative painting of the early eighteenth century, a direct bridge from Renaissance Venice to the Rococo of Tiepolo.
Timeline
- 1659Born in Belluno, in the foothills of the Dolomites north of Venice. He showed early artistic promise and was sent to study in Venice as a boy.
- 1678At nineteen, forced to flee Bologna after involvement in a scandal (he was accused of attempting to poison a young woman's father). He moved between several Italian cities over the following years.
- 1694Completed major decorative commissions in Rome and Florence by the age of thirty-five, synthesising the traditions of Veronese, Cortona, and Luca Giordano into a fluid, luminous style.
- 1712Travelled to London at fifty-three with his nephew Marco Ricci, painting decorative schemes for aristocratic patrons including the 'Resurrection' for the apse of the Chelsea Hospital chapel.
- 1718Returned to Venice at fifty-nine after failing to secure the commission for the dome of St Paul's Cathedral in London, which went to Sir James Thornhill instead.
- 1734Died in Venice at the age of seventy-five. His bright, energetic style was a key bridge between the late Baroque and the Rococo, directly influencing the young Tiepolo.
Notable Works
Tap to view larger.
Where to See Sebastiano Ricci
2 museums worldwide.
-
1 works
Musée Magnin
Hôtel Lantin (Dijon), France
Related Artists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sebastiano Ricci known for?
Sebastiano Ricci is known for his decorative painting, particularly his ceiling frescoes. His work introduced Venetian Baroque decoration to British interiors during his time in England from 1711 to 1716. He was one of the most internationally sought-after decorative painters in Europe.Who was Sebastiano Ricci?
Sebastiano Ricci was an internationally popular decorative painter from Italy. Born in 1659, he worked across Europe before settling in Venice in 1717. His life was marked by personal turbulence.What was Sebastiano Ricci's art style?
Sebastiano Ricci's art style built on the legacy of Paolo Veronese, bridging the late Baroque and Rococo styles. His ceiling frescoes combined theatrical staging with luminous colour in compositions that move at speed across large surfaces. His secular subjects influenced the tastes of aristocratic European collectors.When was Sebastiano Ricci born?
Sebastiano Ricci was born in 1659 in Italy. Sebastiano Ricci died in 1734, aged 75.How did Sebastiano Ricci die?
Sebastiano Ricci died in 1734 at the age of 75.
Sources
Editorial draws on the following primary and tertiary references for Sebastiano Ricci.
- [1] museum Cleveland Museum of Art Used for: museum holdings.
- [2] museum Musée Magnin Used for: museum holdings.
- [3] museum Art Institute of Chicago Used for: museum holdings.
- [4] museum Samuel H. Kress Collection Used for: museum holdings.
- [5] academic Sebastiano Ricci | Italian painter | Britannica Used for: biography.
- [6] book Zuffi, Stefano, 1961-, Baroque painting : two centuries of masterpieces from the era preceding the dawn modern art Used for: biography, stylistic analysis.
- [7] book Beard, Lee, 1973- author, Butler, Adam, author; Van Cleave, Claire, author; Fortenberry, Diane, author; Stirling, Susan, author, Beard, Lee, 1973- author, Butler, Adam, author; Van Cleave, Claire, author; Fortenberry, Diane, author; Stirling, Susan, author - The Art Book_ New Edition, Mini Format Used for: biography.
- [8] book Masterpieces of western art : a history of art in 900 individual studies from the Gothic to the present day Used for: biography, stylistic analysis.
- [9] book Cole, Bruce; , Titian and Venetian Painting, 1450-1590 Used for: biography, stylistic analysis.
- [10] museum Jusepe de Ribera (called Lo Spagnoletto) - The Tears of Saint Peter Used for: museum holdings.
- [11] museum Sebastiano Ricci | British Museum Used for: biography.
- [12] museum Sebastiano Ricci - Colección - Museo Nacional del Prado Used for: biography.
- [13] museum Sebastiano Ricci | National Gallery of Art Used for: biography.
Editorial overseen by Solis Prints. Sources verified 2026-05-17. Click a source for details, or hover over [N] in the page above to preview.
Editorial standardsMethodologyCorrectionsAI disclosureAbout the editorial team