century, there arose a new
movement in Italian art, which resulted in forming two schools between
which there came to be much bitterness of feeling, and even deadly hatred.
On one side there were those who wished to continue the study and
imitation of the works of the old masters, but with this they united a
study of nature. These men were called "Eclectics," because they elected
or chose certain parts of different systems of painting, and from these
formed a new manner of their own.

Opposed to the Eclectics were the "Naturalists," who insisted that nature
only should be studied, and that everything should be represented in the
most realistic way, and made to appear in the picture exactly as it did in
reality, not being beautified or adorned by any play of fancy or
imagination.

The chief school of the Eclectics, of whom I will first speak, was at
Bologna, and is known also as the "school of the Caracci," because
LUDOVICO CARACCI (1555-1619) was at the head of a large academy there, and
was assisted by his nephews, AGOSTINO CARACCI (1558-1601) and ANNIBALE
CARACCI (1560-1609), the latter being the greatest artist of the three.
The lives of the Caracci are not of such interest as to require an account
of them here, neither are their works so interesting that we may not leave
these artists by saying that they have great consideration as the heads of
the Eclectic Academy, and for the work they did in it at an important era
in the history of Italian art; but the fruits of their work are shown in
that of their scholars rather than in their own paintings, and in this
view their influence can scarcely be overvalued.

The greatest of their scholars was DOMENICO ZAMPIERI (1581-1641), called
DOMENICHINO, who was born at Bologna, and was instructed by Denis Calvert,
who forbade his drawing after the works of Annibale Caracci. Domenico
disobeyed this command, and was so severely treated by Calvert that he
persuaded his father to take him from that master, and place him in the
school of the Caracci. When he entered the Academy he was so dull that his
fellow-pupils nicknamed him "The Ox;" but Annibale Caracci said: "Take
care: this ox will surpass you all by and by, and will be an honor to his
art." Domenichino soon began to win many prizes in the school, and left it
well trained and prepared for a brilliant career.

He gave much thought to his art, shunned private society, and if he went
out at all he frequented public places wh