A_NNIBALE CARACCI was born about 1560. Lodovico, after instruct ing him in his art, retained him with himself. Annibale exhibited a perfect contrast to the phlegmatic calmness of Lodovico, to the accom plished fickleness of Agostino, and to the amiable mildness of both; he was rude and impatient in temper, though of so open and generous a nature that he is said to have kept his colours and his money in the same box, both of which were equally at the disposal of his scholars. He laboured in his vocation with an unwearying and enthusiastic devotion, and a singleness of purpose which has never been excelled, scarcely perhaps equalled. He disliked all study but that of painting, and more than once burst out into complaints against the school-liLe refinements and the slow proceedings of his kinsmen in their pursuit of excellence. Like Lodovico, he travelled about from place to place, improving himself by all that he saw, and aiming to combine in his own works the excellences of the great works that he studied. The three opened an academy in Lodovico's studio, which became famous for the illustrious pupils whom it sent forth.
_ The fame of the Caracci reaching Rome, Annibale was invited by the Cardinal Odoardo Farnese to adorn his palace with paintings. Ile
went, accompanied by Agostino; and the two brothers were delighted and exalted by the sight of the ancient works of art, and the labours of Michel Angelo and the divine Itaffaelle. The usual dissensions how ever arose, and Annibale's intolerant devotion to labour drove away his more festive brother. The Farnese Gallery occupied Annibale for eight years, for which he is said to have received only five hundred crowns—a meanness of remuneration, as Lanzi justly observes, almost incredible. He did little after this, and died in 1609. He was buried, according to his own desire, by tho side of ltuffaellc. Agostino died in 1602. Lodovico lived until 1619.
The works of the three kinsmen are principally in Bologna and Rome. The Farnese Gallery is considered the greatest work of Anni bale. The Louvre contains the 'St. John the Baptist' by Lodovico, and the Communion of St. by Agostino, which are respec tively reckoned their best works in oil. Our own National Gallery contains several paintings and two cartoons by the Caracci, but none perhaps that can he reckoned among their finest works. (Malvasia.)