Vincenzo Campi

1530 – 1591

The Campi were a family of Italian painters in Cremona in the 16th century. In the north of Italy, where they had the splendid example of the Venetians and some knowledge of Flemish and German art, the contrasts of light and shade could express the Mannerist feeling perfectly, as in the work of the Campi at Cremona. The head of the family was Galeazzo Campi (1477-1536), a pupil of Boccaccio Boccaccini. His close contacts with Tommaso Aleni are assumed, owing to stylistic alliance. In his landscapes influences from Giovanni Bellini and Perugino can be observed. He was the father of Giulio, Antonio and Vincenzo. Giulio Campi worked chiefly in Cremona. His first altarpieces reveal ideas from Brescia and the Emilia. He collaborated with Camillo Boccaccino, later was influenced by Giulio Romano and Pordenone. Antonio Campi (Cavaliere Antonio) was the second son of Galeazzo. His initial works remain close to the style of his brother Giulio, and that of Camillo Boccaccino. His graphic works exhibit influences from Parmigianino and Emilian sculpture. In 1560 he abandoned collaboration with his brother Giulio and began to develop more independently. He had probably contacts with Peterzano in the last decade, whose Reformist style he approached. Vincenzo Campi trained under his brother Giulio. He painted mainly saints and portraits as well as genre-like still-lifes, like the two fruit and fishmongers' paintings at the Brera, Milan. Both show that he was influenced by Pieter Aertsen. Bernardino Campi (1522-1591) was not directly related to Galeazzo Campi or his sons. Nevertheless he was an assistant to Giulio Campi and was influenced by Giulio Romano.

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