Salvator Rosa (1615 — March 15, 1673) was an Italian Baroque painter, poet and printmaker, active in Naples, Rome and Florence. As a painter, he is best known as an “unorthodox and extravagant” and a “perpetual rebel” proto-Romantic.

He was born in Arenella, in the outskirts of Naples: either June 20 or July 21, 1615. His father, Vito Antonio de Rosa, a land surveyor, urged his son to become a lawyer or a priest, and entered him into the convent of the Somaschi fathers. Yet, Salvator showed a preference for the arts, thus secretly worked with his maternal uncle Paolo Greco to learn about painting, and soon transferred himself to his own brother-in-law Francesco Francanzano, a pupil of Ribera, and afterwards to either Aniello Falcone, contemporary with Domenico Gargiulo, or Ribera himself. Some sources claim he spent time living with roving bandits. At the age of seventeen he lost his father; his mother was destitute with at least five children, and Salvator found himself without financial support.

Salvator Rosa “Study of a Standing Figure” Etching, plate 50 from the “Studies of Figures”, on antique laid paper with narrow, uneven margins. Work measures 3.75 by 5.25 inches approximate. In good condition.

Art (paintings, prints, frames)