Benedetto Luti

Benedetto Luti (17 November 1666 – 17 June 1724) was an Italian painter, draftsman, and pastelist.

Early life
Luti was born in Florence on 17 November 1666. He trained under Anton Domenico Gabbiani before moving to Rome in 1690.

Career
In Rome he gained the patronage of Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, an enthusiast of Luti's pastel portraiture. Luti was one of the first artists to work in pastels as the final composition as opposed to initial studies for paintings or frescoes.

Luti was employed by many of the leading Roman families of the day, including the Colonna, Pallavicini, Barberini, and Odescalchi. He also worked in oils and painted frescoes, including for the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano. He became a member of the Accademia di San Luca in 1694.

Luti was also a successful art dealer and ran a school of drawing; among his pupils were Giovanni Domenico Piastrini, Giovanni Paolo Panini, Claude Arnulphy, Jean-Baptiste van Loo, William Kent, Charles-André van Loo, Agostino Ratti, Pietro Bianchi, Placido Costanzi, and Vieira Lusitano.

Knighthood
In 1720, he was knighted in the Academy of St Luke of Rome and elected Principe. The appointment was not without controversy, since some: "'could not find anything (of Luti's) worthy of memory for the benefit of the arts. Pascoli's of account Luti, found him a deep intellect, and even more knowledgeable of the works that he draws, although ... because he knew too much and was never satisfied, he oftentimes recycled thoughts and figures: he did not make friends with anyone, and for this reason, when was elected Prince of the Academy, there was not much applause.'"

The next year he dedicated himself to painting frescoes the cupola of the Church of Santi Luca e Martina in Rome.