Francesco Casanova

Brother of the Venetian seducer Giacomo Casanova, Francesco Casanova distinguished himself in the 18th century as a painter of battles, hunts and equestrian scenes. He trained with Giovanni Antonio Guardi in Venice and then with Francesco Simonini in Florence. The works of Philips Wouwerman and Charles Parrocel inspired him. Settled in Paris in 1757, Casanova quickly became a desired painter. He exhibited at the Salon between 1761 and 1771, and then from 1779 to 1783. He produced paintings for the greatest European collectors such as The Battle of Lens and The Battle of Friburg for the Prince of Condé. Casanova was appointed painter to the King before 1762, then became a member of the Royal Academy in 1763. From 1772, he produced cartoons for the execution of tapestries at the Royal Manufacturers of Beauvais and Aubusson. Settled in Vienna in 1783, he continued to work for Catherine II of Russia, Prince Nicolas Esterhazy of Hungary and Ferdinand IV king of Naples.