ALBANI, or Amet No, FR A se ts, a celebrated painter, was the son of a silk merchant at Bologna, and was horn in that city on the 17th March, 1578. He was intended for the proktssion of his father ; but the attachment to painting, which he showed at the age of twelve, was not congenial with these commercial views. The death of his father, however, lelt hint at full liberty to prosecute his favourite studies. He studied under Denys Calvert along with the celebrated Guido Rheni, who gave him inure instruction than his master, and with whom he formed the most intimate friendship. Albani followed Guido to the school of the Caracci, but mutual jealousies began to cool the friendship w hich they had contracted. From the school of the Caracci, Albani went to Rome, where he resided 18 years ; but, in consequence of the death of his wife, he was induced to return to Bologna, where he married a second wife, by whom he had twelve children. Albani employed his wife and children as the models of \remises and Cupids ; but though the origi nals were well proportioned, and extremely beautiful, yet, by constantly painting from them, his figures exhibit too great a similarity, both in form and attitude. In the retirement of one of his country houses, which was ro mantically decorated with groves and fountains, he stu died the landscape scenery, with which his pictures were enriched ; and in this department he displayed that harmony of colouring and elegance of design, which mark the productions of his pencil. One of the most
celebrated of Albani's pictures is his painting of the Four Elements, which is preserved in the palace of Tu rin. His other principal works are at Bologna and Rome ; and his cabinet pictures arc to be found in most collec tions of any considerable extent.
The private character of Albani was marked by mild ness of disposition, and the most unaffected modesty. He was agreeable in conversation, kind and attentive to his pupils, and distinguished by all the domestic virtues. Albani was favoured w ith visits from the most illustrious painters. He was honoured with the correspondence of several princes, and was invited to England by Charles I., in a letter signed with his own hand. Albani lived to a great age, in the full enjoyment of his faculties. He died at Bologna in 1660, in the eighty-second year of his age. See d'Argenville's ?Ibrege de la Vie des Peintres, tom. i. p. 295, and Felsina Patrice, vol. ii, (o)