Felice Ficherelli (1603 - 1660)

• Was an Italian painter of the Baroque period.

• Born in San Gimignano and active mainly in Tuscany.

• Among Ficherelli's early patrons was Conte Bardi, who persuaded Ficherelli to move to Florence and to study with the painter Jacopo da Empoli.

• Empoli's influence is evident in the sumptuous fabrics seen in many of Ficherelli's works.

• Ficherelli was nicknamed "Felice Riposo" for his retiring nature.

• There is a controversial copy of Ficherelli's Saint Praxedis, which appears to be signed by Johannes Vermeer and dated 1655. 

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