Luca Cambiaso - Buy or sell works
Moneglia 1527-1585 Madrid
Luca Cambiaso (1527–1585) was a prominent Italian painter from Genoa, known for his Mannerist style and expressive frescoes. Trained by his father, Giovanni Cambiaso, Luca began his career painting alongside him, learning from artists like Perin del Vaga, Domenico Beccafumi, and Pordenone. His early works show the influence of Michelangelo, with strong figures and bold perspectives. By his mid-twenties, Cambiaso had taken over the family workshop, marking the beginning of a successful solo career.
Cambiaso's style evolved through the 1540s and 1550s as he worked on commissions throughout Liguria. He often collaborated with artists such as Giovanni Battista Castello, creating frescoes in Genoese palaces like Villa Giustiniani Cambiaso and Villa Pallavicino delle Peschiere. His works from this period reflect a growing command of perspective and dramatic composition. Cambiaso also explored religious themes in altarpieces, such as the "Adoration of the Shepherds" (1558) and the "Transfiguration" (1561), showing a shift toward more emotional, yet structured depictions. He was deeply inspired by Correggio’s soft modelling of figures and expressive use of light, which helped him refine his style. He also experimented with graphic studies on the human body and included detailed architectural settings in his compositions.
In 1583, Cambiaso was invited to Spain by King Philip II to work at El Escorial, where he completed important frescoes such as the "Crowning of Mary" and "La Gloria". Cambiaso left a lasting mark on Genoese painting and played a role in bringing Italian Mannerism into Spanish court art. His works are held in collections across Europe, including the Prado Museum in Madrid, the Louvre in Paris, and institutions in Genoa, where his contribution to Italian art remains widely recognised.