Felice Ficherelli

Felice Ficherelli (30 August 1605 – 5 March 1660) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, active mainly in Tuscany. He was nicknamed "Felice Riposo" (Happy I Rest) for his calm and quiet demeanour.

Biography He was born in San Gimignano. Nothing is known of his parents. He was sent to Florence at a very early age, and placed under the protection of Count Alberto d'Ottavio Bardi di Vernio, an aide to Cardinal Carlo de Medici. After displaying some artistic talent, he was made an apprentice in the workshops of Jacopo da Empoli, where he made copies of works by the Renaissance masters.

In 1629, he enrolled at the Accademia dell'Arte del Disegno. Count Bardi died in 1632 but, thanks to a provision in Bardi's will, he was able to remain at the Count's home in return for providing one large painting per year. This has been the subject of much disagreement among art scholars.

Ficherelli died in Florence in 1660 and was interred at the . It was demolished in 1869 to widen the Lungarno.