Brief Biography-Annibale Carracci was from the town of Bologna in northern Italy. He had an older brother Agostino and an older cousin Ludovico who were painters. Of his early life, little is known, except that he worked under his cousin Ludovico alongside his brother Agostino at one stage. Their work needed to be distinguishable; they worked jointly on frescos in the town. Then, in 1582, they set up a teaching academy, the Accademia delgi Incamminati, the Academy of the Progressives. They emphasised life drawing, and two of their pupils who learned a great deal from them were Guido Reni and Domenichino.
Annibale painted altarpieces which improved his standing, and in 1595 he went to Rome to do commissions for Cardinal Odoardo Farnese in his palace, where he carried out a series of notable works. Rome was now his home for the rest of his life. Agostino helped him a little with the work in the galley of the palace, but he fell out with both Agostino and Ludovico around 1600. Agostino went to Parma, and Ludovico governed the Academy in Bologna.
The gallery ceiling was one of his most famous works, being rated alongside the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Domenichino and other former students stayed in Rome to assist Annibale with his work, and he continued with his tuition through his studio. Though poorly paid for his work in the palace, he went on to do more frescos in Rome, later highly regarded. During the last five years of his life, Annibale Carracci suffered from depression and did very little work. In 1609, he died from a fever