11 Facts About Antonio Vassilacchi

Antonio Vassilacchi was born of Greek descent, on the island of Milos, Greece in 1556.

In 1572 Vassilacchi became a pupil of Paolo Veronese and began working on the frescoes in the episcopal palace at Treviso, in the church of Sant'Agata in Padua, and various churches in Venice.

Antonio Vassilacchi was a member of the Brotherhood of Venetian Painters from 1584 and had acquired a sobriquet, 'Aliense'.

Antonio Vassilacchi died young before having established a career.

Antonio Vassilacchi had two daughters who entered the Nunnery of Santa Chiara, though it is not known whether they were from his first or second marriage.

Antonio Vassilacchi used to show this picture to his friends and say "This is the burden I'll bear till I die".

Antonio Vassilacchi was buried with honours in the church of San Vitale two days later.

Antonio Vassilacchi gave the preliminary sketch, in chiaroscuro, to Domenico Cresti, the painter of the Crucifixion in the same church.

In 1591 Antonio Vassilacchi was engaged by the Brotherhood of Merchants, and some time later he was working in the church of San Giovanni Elemosinario, just a few metres from the commercial centre of Venice, the Rialto.

Antonio Vassilacchi painted the Plague of Serpents in the Church of the Angelo San Raffaele.

Antonio Vassilacchi's sketch was immediately accepted and from it was created the large bronze group of the Four Evangelists Supporting the World and God.