BETTI, Niccolò

Italian painter. After training in Florence with Michele Tosini, Betti was called to help with the decoration of Francesco de’ Medici’s studiolo in the Palazzo Vecchio where his signed Sack of Corinth forms part of the series of the element of Fire. That work shows the unmistakable influence of both Giovan Battista Naldini and Francesco Morandini (1544-1597), known as il Poppi while his later paintings point to close knowledge of the works of Francesco Brina (c. 1540-c. 1586).

After the completion of the studiolo, in 1576-78 Betti worked in Pisa in the restoration of the cathedral. His paintings were recognised in Muntepulciano, an altarpiece representing the Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, and another depicting the Adoration of the Shepherds in the church of Sant’Agnese.