Luca Giordano was born in 1632 in Naples, the son of a painter. He became the leading Italian decorative painter of the second half of the seventeenth century. His natural talent and ability gave him the nickname of 'Luca fa presto' or 'Luke paints quickly', from his father's habit of encouraging his son to paint with free execution. During his lifetime Giordano's fame was widespread, and his commissions included fresco projects for churches and palaces throughout Italy and Spain. Oil paintings also exist, mainly on classical and religious themes He worked in Naples, Florence, Venice and from 1692 for the Habsburg King Charles of Spain on schemes in Madrid, Toledo and the Escorial. Giordano returned to Naples in 1702, where he died three years later.