Francesco Monti (1685 – 14 April 1768) was an Italian painter of the late Baroque.
Born in Bologna, he studied art for three years with Sigismondo Caula in Modena, [1] and then starting in 1701 with Giovanni Gioseffo dal Sole [2] in Bologna. His neo- Mannerist style was influenced by Donato Creti, Giuseppe Maria Crespi, and Parmigianino. A prolific painter, he worked in oil and in fresco.
His first known work, dating from 1713, is a Pentecost for the Basilica of San Prospero in Reggio Emilia.[ citation needed] Other early works include a Rape of the Sabines for Count Ranuzzi and a Triumph of Mordecai for the court at Turin. [2] [3] Around this time, he was commissioned, along with other painters, to provide decorations for the Duke of Richmond's Goodwood Palace.[ citation needed] He also executed commissions for a number of churches in Bolognia. [2] Within a few years, he was admitted to the prestigious Accademia Clementina.[ citation needed]
In 1738, he moved to Brescia, where he painted frescoes on the vault of the church of Santa Maria della Pace.[ citation needed] He received other commissions from regional churches in San Zeno, Capo di Ponte, Chiari, Sale Marasino, and elsewhere. [1] From 1740 onwards, he was also active in the area of Cremona.[ citation needed]
Among his pupils were Gaetano Sabadini, [4] his daughter Eleonora Monti, [5] and the priest Antonio Montelatici. [6]
He died in Brescia.