# Orazio Gentileschi

> Italian painter (1563–1639)

**Wikidata**: [Q367360](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q367360)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orazio_Gentileschi)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/orazio-gentileschi

## Summary
Orazio Gentileschi was an Italian painter born in 1563 and active until his death in 1639. He is best known for his religious and historical paintings, particularly his works depicting biblical and mythological scenes with a focus on dramatic compositions and naturalistic detail.

## Biography
- Born: July 9, 1563 (exact date varies slightly in sources)
- Nationality: Italian
- Education: No formal artistic education recorded; self-taught and apprenticed
- Known for: Religious and historical paintings, including *Danaë* and *Lot and His Daughters*
- Employer(s): Worked in Florence, Rome, and other Italian cities; no major institutional affiliations documented
- Field(s): Painting, particularly religious and genre painting

## Contributions
Orazio Gentileschi created several notable paintings, including:
- *Danaë* (1623), a religious painting depicting the mythological figure Danaë
- *Lot and His Daughters* (circa 1628), a historical painting based on the biblical story of Lot
- *Death of Cleopatra* (circa 1613 or 1621-1622), a work attributed to either him or his sister Artemisia
- *The Finding of Moses* (1634), a religious painting
- *The Lute Player* (1612), a genre painting

## FAQs
- **What style of painting was Orazio Gentileschi known for?** He was known for religious and historical paintings with a focus on dramatic compositions and naturalistic detail.
- **Where did Orazio Gentileschi work?** He worked in Florence, Rome, and other Italian cities, though no major institutional affiliations are recorded.
- **What are some of Orazio Gentileschi’s most famous paintings?** His most famous works include *Danaë*, *Lot and His Daughters*, and *The Lute Player*.
- **Was Orazio Gentileschi formally educated in painting?** No, he was self-taught and apprenticed.
- **What was Orazio Gentileschi’s relationship to Artemisia Gentileschi?** They were siblings, and some of his works are attributed to her as well.

## Why They Matter
Orazio Gentileschi’s contributions to painting laid the groundwork for later artists, particularly in the realms of religious and historical painting. His works, such as *Danaë* and *Lot and His Daughters*, are considered significant examples of the Baroque period. His influence can be seen in the dramatic compositions and naturalistic detail of his paintings, which continue to be studied and admired.

## Notable For
- Created *Danaë* (1623), a key work in religious painting
- Produced *Lot and His Daughters* (circa 1628), a notable historical painting
- Attributed with *Death of Cleopatra* (circa 1613 or 1621-1622), a significant biblical scene
- Painted *The Finding of Moses* (1634), a religious work
- Created *The Lute Player* (1612), a genre painting

## Body
### Early Life and Training
Orazio Gentileschi was born in 1563, though the exact date varies in sources. He received no formal artistic education but was self-taught and apprenticed, developing his skills in painting.

### Career and Works
Gentileschi’s career spanned several decades, during which he created numerous paintings. His works include *Danaë* (1623), a religious painting depicting the mythological figure Danaë; *Lot and His Daughters* (circa 1628), a historical painting based on the biblical story of Lot; and *The Lute Player* (1612), a genre painting. He also contributed to *Death of Cleopatra* (circa 1613 or 1621-1622), a work attributed to either him or his sister Artemisia.

### Influence and Legacy
Orazio Gentileschi’s influence extends to the Baroque period, particularly in religious and historical painting. His works are studied for their dramatic compositions and naturalistic detail, which continue to be admired and analyzed. His contributions to painting have left a lasting impact on the art world.

## References

1. RKDartists
2. BnF authorities
3. Integrated Authority File
4. Union List of Artist Names. 2017
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. The Fine Art Archive
7. [Source](https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095848121)
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. MusicBrainz
10. Orazio Gentileschi. RKDartists
11. SNAC
12. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Gentileschi%20Orazio)
15. IdRef
16. CERL Thesaurus
17. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani
18. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
19. catalogo.beniculturali.it
20. [Source](https://library.si.edu/art-and-artist-files)
21. [Source](https://library.nga.gov/permalink/01NGA_INST/1cl1g8d/alma993107303504896)