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Aniello Falcone (1600-1665) was an Italy|Italian
painter notable for his images of battles.

Born in Naples the son of a tradesman, he showed
his artistic tendency at an early age. He first
received some instruction from a relative, and
then studied under José de Ribera, of whom he
ranks as the most eminent pupil. 

Besides battle pictures, large and small, taken
from biblical as well as secular history, he
painted various religious subjects, which,
however, count for little in his general
reputation. He became, as a battle painter, almost
as celebrated as Ambrogio Borgognone, and was
named L' Oracolo delle Battaglie. His works
have animation, variety, truth to nature, and
careful color. 

Falcone was bold, generous, accustomed to arms,
and an excellent fencer. In the insurrection of
1647, led by Masaniello, he resolved to be
bloodily avenged for the death, at the hands of
two Spaniards, of a nephew and of a pupil in the
school of art which he had established in Naples.
He and many of his scholars, including Salvator
Rosa and Carlo Coppola, formed an armed band named
the Compagnia della Morte, or Company of Death
(see Salvator Rosa). They scoured the streets by
day, exulting in slaughter; at night they were
painters again, and handled the brush with
impetuous zeal. 

Peace being restored, they had to decamp. Falcone
and Rosa made off to Rome; here Borgognone noticed
the works of Falcone, and became his friend, and a
French gentleman induced him to go to France,
where Louis XIV of France|Louis XIV became one of
his patrons. Ultimately Jean-Baptiste Colbert
obtained permission for the painter to return to
Naples, and there he died in 1665. 

Two of his battle-pieces are to be seen in the
Louvre and in the Naples museum; he painted a
portrait of Masaniello, and engraved a few plates.
Among his principal scholars, besides Rosa and
Coppola (whose works are sometimes ascribed to
Falcone himself), were Domenico Gargiulo (named
Micco Spadaro), Paolo Porpora and Andrea di Lione.

1911