ROSA, SALVATOR, a celebrated painter, was born at Naples in 1614. He received his first lessons in painting from his kinsman, Francisco Francazani: hut having been left in poor circumstances by the death of his father he was obliged to dispose of his sketches at any price which they would bring. A historical sketch of Hagar and Ishmael, executed under these circumstances, fell into the hands of Lafranc, who generously took him under his protection, and contrived not only to place him in the school of Spagnoletto, but to procure him the instructions of Daniel Falcone, a celebrated battle painter at Naples. Uncle'. these favourable circum stances, Salyator pursued his studies with singular success, and speedily rose to great emi [wore as an art ist. He is said to have spent his early life among a horde of banditti, and to have thus acquired a know ledge or that wildness both of scenery and character which marks most of his pictures. The character of
his works, as given by Sir Joshua Reynolds, has already appeared in our article PAINTING.
Salvator was also known as a good poet, and, though coarse and rough, his poPcrY is said to be marked with the same boldness ail.' originality which characterise the productions his pencil. He was also celebrated for his mus;--al composition, specimens of which will he m the 4th volume of Dr. Bur of Music. Salvator Rosa died at Rome in ;ear 1673, in the 59th year of his age, buried in the church of Santa Maria degli Angel; de P. P. Certorini, where a tomb is erected to his memory. Salvator is likewise celebrated for nu merous etchings, principally historical. One of his best pictures is that of Saul and the Witch of Endor, preserved at Versailles.