Claudio Coello

Coello, Claudio

Coello, Claudio (b Madrid, 2 Mar. 1642; d Madrid, 20 Apr. 1693). Spanish painter, the last important master of the Madrid School of the 17th century. He was primarily a religious painter, but he also produced portraits. His masterpiece, Charles II Adoring the Host (1685–90), a huge canvas in the sacristy of the Escorial, combines a mystical religious subject with realistic portraiture and is an outstanding example of Baroque illusionism, mirroring the architecture of the building in which it hangs. He had other noteworthy successes, particularly in work he carried out for Toledo Cathedral, but he died a disappointed man because he was passed over in favour of the Italian Luca Giordano for the commission to carry out a huge programme of decoration at the Escorial. Coello had travelled to Italy as a young man and also studied the work of Titian in the royal collection, and his skill as a colourist and painterly brushwork reflect the influence of the great Venetian masters.

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IAN CHILVERS. "Coello, Claudio." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

IAN CHILVERS. "Coello, Claudio." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-CoelloClaudio.html

IAN CHILVERS. "Coello, Claudio." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-CoelloClaudio.html

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Coello, Claudio

Coello, Claudio (1642–93). Spanish painter, the last important master of the Madrid School of the 17th century. He was primarily a religious painter, but he also produced portraits. His masterpiece, Charles II Adoring the Host (1685–90), a huge canvas in the sacristy of the Escorial, combines a mystical religious subject with realistic portraiture and is an outstanding example of Baroque illusionism, mirroring the architecture of the building in which it hangs. He had other noteworthy successes, particularly in work he carried out for Toledo Cathedral, but he died a disappointed man because he was passed over in favour of the Italian Luca Giordano for the commission to carry out a huge programme of decoration at the Escorial. Coello had travelled to Italy as a young man and also studied the work of Titian in the royal collection, and his skill as a colourist and painterly brushwork reflect the influence of the great Venetian masters.

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IAN CHILVERS. "Coello, Claudio." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

IAN CHILVERS. "Coello, Claudio." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-CoelloClaudio.html

IAN CHILVERS. "Coello, Claudio." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-CoelloClaudio.html

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Claudio Coello

Claudio Coello , c.1642–1693, Spanish baroque painter. As court painter to Charles II he decorated many churches and public buildings of Madrid. His most famous work is the monumental altarpiece for the sacristy of the Escorial, filled with portraits and allegorical figures.

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"Claudio Coello." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Claudio Coello." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Coello-C.html

"Claudio Coello." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Coello-C.html

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Coello, Claudio images
Claudio Coello. Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)