Antonio Franchi

Antonio Franchi (1638 – 1709) is an Italian painter of the 17th century, and active mainly in Florence and Lucca.

Born in Villa Basilica, he is also called "Il Lucchese". Initially training in Lucca with Domenico Ferrucci, he moved for over a decade (1655-67) to Florence, to work with Felice Ficherelli and Baldassare Franceschini. He rerurned to Lucca for seven years, and then moved back to Florence, where he worked for under first Strozzi, then Medici patronage. In 1683 he was admitted to the Accademia dell'Arte del Disegno. He died in Florence. His paintings have the porcelain crispness of design, characteristic of Carlo Dolci; and some the sensuality of a Francesco Furini.

He painted a "San Giovanni Gualberto in prayer" for the Chapel of the saint in the Vallombrosa Abbey [ [http://www.monaci.org/index.asp?brand=2&cat=23 Vallombrosa abbey.] ] . He painted a "Madonna and Bambino" for the church of Santa Marta in Montopoli [ [http://www.pisaoggi.it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=67&Itemid=1| Chiesa Conservatorio di Santa Marta.] ] .

=References=
* [http://www.wga.hu/bio/f/franchi/biograph.html| Web gallery of Art biography.]