Cardinal Girolamo Agucchi

Domenico Zampieri, called Il Domenichino (October 21, 1581–April 16, 1641)

Portrait of Cardinal Agucchi

1604-05

Oil on canvas, 141 x 111 cm

Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence

Cardinal Girolamo Agucchi (1555-1605) was the brother of Monsignor Giovanni Batista Agucchi (1570-1632 - see previous post).

At first the Cardinal considered Domenichino idle and uncouth and refused to have him under his protection. Due to the influence of his brother, the Monsignor, the Cardinal changed his mind, had him confirmed as a member of his household and commissioned a number of works from the artist.

The artist stayed in the Agucchi household until 1608 and maintained a strong friendship with the Monsignor after the death of the Cardinal.

The cardinal was created cardinal priest in the consistory of June 9, 1604. He received the red hat and the title of S. Pietro in Vincoli, June 25, 1604. He participated in the first conclave of 1605, which elected Pope Leo XI. He died on April 27, 1605,on the same day that Pope Leo XI also died. He is buried in S. Pietro in Vincoli in Rome,

The cardinal`s funeral monument in S Pietro in Vincoli was designed and executed by Domenichino. See below.