Leonardo Coccorante (Naples, Italy 1680 - Naples, Italy 1750)

Born in Naples in 1680, Coccorante began his studies with Jan Frans van Bloemen before moving on to work with Angelo Maria Costa, whose artworks are said to have inspired Coccorante both in terms of form and composition, before concluding his education with Gabriele Ricciardelli.

Among the most successful capriccio painters, his paintings portrayed classical architectural ruins bathed in the slightly sinister light of a full moon or twilight, within which solitary figures can be glimpsed.

Coccorante worked at the court of Charles VII of Naples between 1737 to 1739. During this period, he created numerous commissioned artworks, including the decoration of the Royal Palace of Naples for the engagement of Charles III of Spain with Marie-Amelia of Saxony.

He died in Naples in 1750.

 Photo UniCredit Group (Sebastiano Pellion di Persano)