Virgin and Child with Four Saints (Saint Geminiano, Saint John the Baptist, Saint George, and Saint Peter the Martyr)

Title and Date of Work: Virgin and Child with Four Saints (Saint Geminiano, Saint John
                                     the Baptist, Saint George, and Saint Peter the Martyr), 1651
Name of Artist: Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino
Exact Location: The Louvre Museum, Paris
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 3.32m by 2.30m

      Giovanni Francesco Barbieri was known as "Guercino," or "Squinter." He was born in the Northern Italian province of Emilia. He received his early training in Bologna at the Carracci Academy. He eventually forged his own style of art by combining Bolognese naturalism, Roman classicism, and Venetian colorism. During the years 1621-1823 he worked in Rome for Pope Gregor XV. While in Rome, Guercino completed many commissions. After Pope Gregory XV died, Guercino returned to Emilia. In 1642 he moved to Bologna, where he became the leader of the Bolognese school.