The artistic career of Mattia Preti spanned the seventeenth century, establishing him as a prominent figure of the Italian Baroque. Born in Taverna in 1613, he evolved from an apprentice in Rome to a knighted member of the Order of Saint John, eventually executing large-scale projects across Italy and spending his final decades painting in Malta.
Early Development and Roman Influence
Before 1630, Preti relocated to Rome to join his brother, Gregorio. In the capital, he engaged deeply with the techniques of Caravaggio, which fundamentally shaped his visual language. His early professional environment included exposure to the works of masters such as Guercino, Rubens, and Guido Reni. During his time in Rome, he secured commissions for fresco cycles in churches including Sant'Andrea della Valle and San Carlo ai Catinari.
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Between 1653 and 1660, Preti operated primarily in Naples. This period marked a shift in his style under the influence of Luca Giordano. He undertook complex projects, including the supervision of architectural and decorative elements at San Pietro a Maiella. His output during these years also featured significant religious canvases, such as Judith and Holofernes and Saint John the Baptist.
The Maltese Period
Appointed a Knight of the Order of St. John in 1660, Preti moved to Malta, where he spent most of his remaining life. His most transformative work during this time was the interior cycle for St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, completed between 1661 and 1666. Beyond his official duties, he maintained a wide circle of European patrons and utilized his household staff, including a slave, as models for his compositions.
Fast facts
- Born: 1613, Taverna
- Died: 1699, Valletta
- Movement: Baroque
- Member: Knights Hospitaller
- Occupations: painter, graphic artist, hospitaller
- Notable work: The Martyrdom of Saint Peter
- Notable work: The Return of the Prodigal Son
Questions readers ask
What was Mattia Preti's connection to the Knights Hospitaller?
He was appointed a member of the Order of Saint John, also known as the Knights of Malta, in 1660, and was thereafter known as Il Cavalier Calabrese.
Where is Mattia Preti buried?
He is buried within St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, Malta.
Achievements
- Notable work: The Martyrdom of Saint Peter
- Notable work: Aeneas, Anchises and Ascanius Fleeing Troy
- Notable work: The Return of the Prodigal Son
- Notable work: Christ and the Obsessed
- Movement: Baroque
