Giovanni Cariani (Giovanni Busi/ Il Cariani)
(1490 -1547)

Think that you may own a painting by Giovanni Cariani? We authenticate, appraise, research and issue Certificates of Authenticity (COA) and provide consultations for all paintings by Giovanni Cariani.

Giovanni Cariani was an Italian painter during the High Renaissance. It is not known for certain where Cariani was born, but it is believed to be Bergamo. Cariani spent much of his life and career in Venice, where he lived as early as 1509.

Many details of Cariani’s life are speculative or not known at all. It can be seen in his paintings that Giovanni Bellini, Carpaccio, Palma il Vecchio and Giorgione influenced Cariani, whether he trained under them or just studied their work.

Cariani frequently visited Bergamo where he spent time painting in a more relaxed environment. Another well-known painter, Lorenzo Lotto painted in Bergamo during the same time frame.

Many details of Cariani’s life are speculative or not known at all. It can be seen in his paintings that Giovanni Bellini, Carpaccio, Palma il Vecchio and Giorgione influenced Cariani, whether he trained under them or just studied their work.

Cariani’s name has recently come to the attention of the media after a new portrait of Leonardo da Vinci was found at the National Gallery in Washington D.C.

Cariani’s paintings are now in important collections around the world. Some of the high profile museums that own his work, include the Hermitage Museum in Russia, the Kunsthistorisches Museum Databank in Vienna, National Galleries of Scotland, National Gallery of Canada, National Gallery of London, The Royal Collection of the UK, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. In Cariani’s home country, his work is housed at the Ca’ Rezzonico-Museo del Settecento Veneziano.

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