BARBIERI, G I O V A N N I F R A N C E S C O (otherwise called GUERCINO, from his squinting) (1591-1666), Italian his torical painter, was born at Cento, near Bologna. His artistic powers were developed very rapidly, and at the age of seventeen he was associated with Benedetto Gennari (1550-1610), a well known painter of the Bolognese school. In 1615 he removed to Bologna. His first style was formed after that of the Caracci ; but the strong colouring and shadows employed by Caravaggio deeply impressed him, and for a considerable period his productions showed that painter's influence. Some of his latest pieces ap proach rather to the manner of his great contemporary Guido. He completed no fewer than 106 large altar-pieces for churches, and his other paintings amount to about 144. His most famous piece is thought to be the St. Petronilla, which was painted at Rome for Gregory XV. and is now in the Capitol. In 1626 he began his frescoes in the Duomo at Piacenza.
His brother, PAOLO ANTONIO BARBIERI (1603-49), was a cele brated painter of still life and animals.