TARUFFI, Emilio - b. 1633 Bologna, d. 1696 Bologna

Italian painter and copyist. He was a pupil of Francesco Albani, whose influence is apparent in his early altarpiece of St Lawrence (c. 1654; Ravenna, Santa Maria in Porto). He may subsequently have studied with Carlo Cignani, with whom he collaborated on frescoes (e.g. Francis I ) in the Sala Farnese, Palazzo Pubblico, Bologna (1658-60; in situ), and, later, on frescoes representing scenes from the Life of St Andrew in Sant’Andrea della Valle, Rome (1662-65; in situ). His few surviving works also include two undated altarpieces: SS John Abbot and Maurice (Parma, San Giovanni Evangelista) and the Virgin with SS Martin, Agnes and Christina (Casalvecchio di Reno, nr Bologna, parish church). The Virgin Appearing to St Peter Celestine (1682; San Giovanni Battista dei Celestini, Bologna) is his best-known painting. It exhibits his familiarity with the works of Annibale Carracci and Guercino, and is notable for its stylish incorporation of the classical conventions of Bolognese painting.

Arrival of the St Andrew Relic in Ancona

This painting is above the antechoir passageway in Sant’Andrea della Valle. It belongs to the scenes from the martyrdom of St Andrew painted by Mattia Preti on the choir walls. Originally Preti was also supposed to paint the smaller panels above the passages to the presbytery chapels. Because of a litigation, he never actually did so, and the two panels were ultimately executed by the Albani pupils Carlo Cignani and Emilio Taruffi. The scenes - St Andrew Condemned by Aegeus, and Arrival of the St Andrew Relic in Ancona - produced jointly by the two young Bolognese artists completed the cycle.