Francesco Londonio

He is best known for his paintings and etchings of rustic and pastoral landscapes and subjects, with both animals and peasants playing a dominating role over the landscape. This focus on genre themes was popular among the wealthy patrons of the time, specially in Northern Italy; and artists such as the Brescian painters Ceruti and Cifrondi worked with such themes. In his engravings, he recalls Gaetano Zompini. Londonio is also known for his scenography. An example of this poorly conserved art form that still exists is a nativity scene on cut wooden shapes for the church of San Marco in Milan. The effect is a cheaper version of the naturalistic Sacri Monti scenes, which had been painted stucco statuary. It also can be seen as a cross between the holy scenes described above, and the theatrical set pieces, for example, those needed for the newly founded La Scala theater. The work at San Marco prompted Empress Maria Theresa of Austria appointed Londonio as art designer for La Scala.

Subjects and genres recorded for the work are genre. Places of work recorded in the authority are Milan, Rome and Naples. Work by Francesco Londonio is recorded in the collections of Städel Museum, Groeningemuseum, Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, Hermitage Museum and Brighton Museum & Art Gallery.

• Name — Francesco Londonio • Born — 1723 • Birthplace — Milan • Died — 1783 • Place of death — Milan • Field — Painting, Engraving, and Scenography • Training — Ferdinando Porta, Giovanni Battista Sassi, and Benigno Bossi. • Movement — Rococo, Genre • Illustration — Engraving of Two Cows, c. 1750

• Illustration — Shepherds with sheep and goat • Illustration — Nativity scene (painted on paper glued to shaped wood panels), San Marco