Born Bologna 1575, Died Bologna 1642. The sophisticated and complex work of Reni dominated the Bolognese school during the 17th century. He tried to portray an idealised beauty in his work, which showed the influence of Greco-Roman art and the paintings of Raphael and Parmigianino. In his religious work he was concerned with the expression of intense emotion. His subjects often had upraised eyes conveying a state of ecstasy or divine inspiration.