Mattia Preti (Il Cavalier Calabrese)

Mattia Preti, known as Il Cavalier Calabrese, was an Italian Baroque painter born in 1613 and active until his death in 1699. He was renowned for his dramatic use of light and color, which exemplified the Baroque style, and he produced a significant body of work that included religious and mythological themes. Preti spent much of his career in Malta, where he became a prominent figure in the artistic community and contributed to the decoration of St. John's Co-Cathedral. His influence extended beyond his lifetime, as his works continued to inspire later generations of artists. Despite his achievements, some details of his early life remain unknown.